No decision yet on reviving biogas plant in Kozhikode central market

The Kozhikode Corporation is yet to take a decision on reviving the biogas plant in central market despite rising demand from the local people for its renovation and proper maintenance.

In a submission at the Corporation Council meeting on Friday, Valiyangadi councillor S.K. Aboobakker said the plant, constructed in 2009, did not function properly for even six months and that the project, completed at a cost of around ₹10 lakh at the time, was of no use to the public at present.

The plant is located in nine cents of land and mainly used to dispose of waste from the adjoining fish market. However, the area is now in a state of disrepair. According to local residents, the plant is not visible due to the amount of plastic waste there. The water tank attached to the plant has fallen down. The area is now a hub of anti-social activities and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Besides, the stench emanating from the plant was unbearable, they said.

“The main problem with the plant is that there is no facility to use the biogas produced at the plant. It could be supplied to nearby restaurants for cooking. But the Corporation has made no effort to do so,” said Mr. Aboobakker.

Even though the plant was set up in 2009, it remained in a state of disrepair until 2017 when Niravu Vengeri took over its upkeep from the Kozhikode Corporation.

Niravu cleaned up the area and the plant. “The plan was for the Corporation to set up a small cafe on the premises where the gas could be put to use and thus it would cater to the workers in Valiyangadi as well. But the plan was never executed. Hence we had to burn off the gas,” said Babu Parambath, project coordinator of Niravu Vengeri. The contract between the Corporation and Niravu concluded in 2020, following which the plant once again fell into disuse.

The Corporation Superintending Engineer said the improper use of the plant had resulted in its current state. He said the civic body had appointed four health officials to take care of it, but the pandemic had kept them busy.

“Merchants have been squeezing in waste fish into the plant, which cannot hold such amounts of waste,” said Mr. Aboobakker, sharing the local residents’ fear that the plant may explode with the increasing pressure of gas in it.

Mayor Beena Philip said the Corporation had to discuss whether the plant should continue to be maintained. Mr. Aboobakker said the civic body should make arrangements to dispose of fish waste from the market. He suggested that it be taken to the Corporation’s waste processing plant at Njeliyanparamba.