Bhubaneswar: In a step towards sustainable waste management, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is setting up a dedicated biogas plant at the city’s busy Unit-1 market. The new facility will convert around 30 tonnes of organic waste generated daily into clean energy, offering an eco-friendly solution to the city’s waste problem, reports Prameya News.
At present, the BMC runs a Micro Composting Centre (MCC) at Unit-1 Haat to manage the collection and processing of waste. The planned biogas plant, spread across 3,500 square feet, will operate as a standalone facility. It will be built in partnership with a private agency, with no setup costs for the municipal body.
Under the agreement, the private firm will handle the full cost of installation and equipment. BMC will only cover minor operational expenses related to the daily functioning of the plant.
“This plant will help us turn daily organic waste into methane gas, which can be used to produce electricity,” said BMC Deputy Commissioner N. Ganesh Babu. “This electricity will power the MCC, cutting down our energy bills. If we generate more than we use, we plan to supply the extra power to TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL).”
The plant’s design has been finalized, and tenders were issued through a Request for Proposal (RFP). Officials confirmed that an agency has been selected and construction work will begin soon.
In addition to the biogas plant, BMC is also working to improve sanitation at the market. Currently, 12 sanitation workers are deployed at the site. The civic body has decided to double the workforce, bringing in another 12 workers. They will be divided into two shifts—morning (up to 2 PM) and evening (4 PM to midnight)—to ensure round-the-clock cleanliness.
With this initiative, BMC aims to not only manage waste more efficiently but also promote cleaner energy and better sanitation in one of the city’s busiest marketplaces.
