The trial run of the biogas plant, which can process about two tonnes of waste per day, established inside the Palayam market commenced on Thursday. The plant, established with the financial assistance of around Rs. 30 lakh from Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project, has the capacity to generate three to four kilowatt of power.
The project, conceived as part of the city Corporation’s initiative to promote decentralised garbage management after the closure of Vilppilsala plant, can handle the waste generated from within the market and adjoining commercial and residential areas. The Palayam ward has around 3000 houses, said an official with the Corporation.
The biogas plant at Palayam, which is the second one being established in a public place after the one- tonne plant at Sreekarayam, would become fully operational within a few days, said chairman of the standing committee for Welfare Palayam Rajan.
Work to establish the plant started six months ago, he said adding that the civic body had planned to set up the plant at least two years before but the project was held back because of the proposal to develop the Palayam market. “Since the development work did not take place we decided to take up construction of the plant six months ago,” he said.
The Corporation has plans to establish biogas plants, having capacity to process two to five tonnes of garbage, at 16 more places in the city, Chairman of standing committee for Works V. S Padmakumar said. The places identified includes Valiathura, Nedungad, Poojappura Central jail, Sreekaryam, Vanchiyoor and in all the main markets. The work for setting up plants in the markets at Peroorkada and Kazhakuttom was fast progressing, he said.
The trial run of the plant was inaugurated by Mayor K Chandrika. Deputy Mayor Happy Kumar, chairman of standing committee for Tax Appeal P Shyam Kumar, chairperson for standing committee for Health S. Pushpalatha and officials from various wings of the Corporation also attended the function.
