Tirupati: Construction of Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL) biogas plant at Tirumala is progressing swiftly and is expected to be commissioned by 2026. The project, taken up jointly by IOCL and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), was formalised in November last year under the leadership of TTD Additional Executive Officer Ch. Venkaiah Chowdary, reports The Economic Times.
The upcoming facility, designed to process 40 tonnes of waste per day, aims to strengthen sustainable energy production and streamline waste management in the hill shrine. TTD has allotted a 2.2-acre site near Kakulamanu Dibba, close to the Gogarbham dam, for the plant. The project cost is estimated at around ₹12 crore, to be shared by both organisations.
Upon completion, the plant is expected to generate 1.75–2.00 MT of compressed biogas (CBG) per day. This will be utilised as cooking fuel (steam) at the TTD Annaprasadam complex, which provides free meals to nearly one lakh devotees daily.
Currently, TTD uses about 3.35 MT of LPG each day for its cooking operations. The biogas plant is projected to significantly cut LPG consumption and deliver annual savings of approximately ₹2 crore.
With over 70,000 pilgrims visiting Tirumala daily, nearly 70 MT of dry and wet waste is generated—material that will serve as feedstock for the biogas plant, further supporting scientific waste disposal.
During a review meeting held on Friday with IOCL officials led by Executive Director Piyush Mittal, Additional EO Venkaiah Chowdary emphasised the need to adhere to the project schedule and ensure commissioning by 2026.
