MARGAO
Is bio-methanation technology an answer to the solid waste management issues plaguing the commercial capital?
On the eve of Diwali, the Margao Municipal Council took a first step, though a small one by commissioning a 5TPD bio-methanation plant, the first such plant in Goa, to address the burning garbage issue that had eluded a solution for decades.
The success of the commissioned 5TPD plant will decide the fate of the bio-methanation technology as an answer to waste management. For, in the pipeline are two more 5TPD bio-methanation plants proposed to be set up by the Margao Municipal Council in the near future. And, not to mention the two mega 25TPD bio-methanation plants mooted by the civic body at Sonsodo in the coming days, which is under the consideration of the government.
From setting up a waste treatment plant way back in the late 90’s with the assistance of Pune-based Ms Komex Engineering to the bio-methanation technology, the Margao Municipal Council has indeed come a long way over the last two decades to address the burning issue.
Aware of the bitter past, when attempts to solve the Sonsodo imbroglio had come a cropper, city MLAs, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and his Fatorda counterpart Vijai Sardesai, besides Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes preferred to tread a cautious path after the commissioning of the plant at the SGPDA market on Wednesday. “Today, the Margao Municipality is taking a small step in commissioning the 5TPD bio-methanation plant. This is a good beginning on the eve of Diwali. The civic body will take the big step when the plant is successful and the civic body goes in for a 25TPD plant,” Kamat said.
The Fatorda MLA recalled the bitter past experience, beginning with Ms Komex plant, but said that the bio-methanation technology can offer a solution to the vexed garbage issue. “The MMC has set a trend by commissioning Goa’s first 5TPD bio-methanation plant. If the technology turns out successful, we will immediately go for the remaining two plants. This should give a big relief to the city,” he said.
Says Chief Officer, Agnelo Fernandes: “Margao’s first 5TPD bio-methanation project with advanced technology with automatic scum breaking mechanism will treat 5,000 kg per day food, fish, vegetable, chicken waste. The Council plans to add two more plants within the SGPDA market if the technology proves successfully. The Urja Bio-System Agency will run and maintain the plant for five years.”
Plant to produce around 450 units of power, bio-fertiliser every day
MARGAO: While the bio-methanation plant will take care of 5TPD of fish, chicken and vegetable waste generated in the SGPDA market, the plant will produce around 450 units of power and also churn out bio-fertiliser every day.
If Dr Deshpande is to be believed, the MMC may as well earn a revenue of around Rs 10,000 a day via the sale of power and the bio-fertiliser. While the civic body’s revenue from the lone plant may touch around Rs 3 lakh a month, the MMC is required to pay around Rs 1-1.5 lakh as operational and maintenance cost to the Urja Bio-Systems Pvt Ltd.
“While the bio-methanation plant will treat 5,000 kilograms of fish, vegetable, chicken waste generated in the SGPDA retail market every day, the MMC will revenue to the tune of Rs 3 lakh a month,” Deshpande said.
He said the electricity generated by the 5TPD plant can illuminate the street lights in the SGPDA complex if the MMC or the PDA supports the electrification. “The power produced by the plant can be sold. Even the bio-fertiliser, which has a high demand, can be marketed by the MMC to earn revenue,” he added.
