On Tuesday, visitors to the Cliff House, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s official residence, went straight to the side of its kitchen. Reason: a new biogas plant.
Mr. Chandy arrived with his wife, in the presence of Mayor K. Chandrika and other ward councillors for the inauguration of the new plant.
Mr. Chandy’s wife Mariamma Oommen handed over a bag of plastic waste to Ms. Chandrika. The Mayor in turn handed it over to the Kudumbasree workers, who resumed the collection of plastic waste from households on Tuesday.
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Speaking to the media after the inauguration of the plant, Mr. Chandy said that though successful models of waste management were available today, the difficult task was to convince and show the people that such models could actually work.
“The government plans to set up such models, but decentralised waste management plans should be also encouraged,” he said.
The government would consider sanctioning the proposal for building tax reduction for biogas plant users, he said.
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The plant that costs Rs.28,000 was set up by Biotech, Centre for Development of Biogas Technology, Vazhuthacaud.
Bacteria culture
According to the Director of Biotech A. Sajidas, this biogas plant is set up using the technology of bacteria culture that can treat up to five kg of degradable waste and 20 litres of waste water on a daily basis. The plant has very low maintenance and does not emit any foul smell. The make-shift plant can provide bio-gas which equals to one kg of LPG, apart from providing 30 litres of liquid organic manure.
Speaking to The Hindu , Ms. Chandy said the manure would be useful for vegetable cultivation and house garden, which they have already taken up at the house.
“We know that the cost of LPG has gone up. The plant also provides biogas that can provide some relief. Though we do not generate much plastic waste on a daily basis, whatever waste is collected would be given to the workers,” Ms. Chandy said.