VMC plans to use hotel waste too in its biogas plant

He said no special arrangements would be required to use the hotel waste. “We shall continue to collect waste from hotels as usual. But its biodegradable parts,like kitchen waste,will be segregated at our solid waste transfer station in Atladara area to supply them to the plant,” Sugoor said.

The civic body collects around 10 tonnes of vegetable waste from Khanderao Market alone,the biggest vegetable and fruit market of the city. Sugoor said if needed,the solid waste management department of the civic body would direct waste from other vegetables markets in the city to the plant.

The VMC does not have immediate plans to collect biodegradable waste separately from households as suggested by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre scientist Sharad Kale,who has pioneered the technology to turn biodegradable municipal solid waste into biogas and manure.

“Right now,we do not have any such plans. Animal carcasses and vegetable waste should be sufficient to run the plant,” said municipal commissioner Ashwini Kumar.

The Rs 58-lakh plant,which will be first-of-its-kind in the state,will be capable of handling five tonnes of waste a day and generate around 250 kg of biogas. “Our prime objective is to dispose of animal carcasses in a scientific manner and contain the stench emanating from the place,” Sugoor said.

The plant is expected to be ready by June this year.