Gandhinagar: Nearly 1,000 tribal households in villages around the Statue of Unity are being provided with individual biogas plants as part of an effort to promote clean and self-reliant cooking fuel, ANI reported.
According to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office, the initiative is being implemented in 89 villages across 38 gram panchayats in Garudeshwar taluka of Narmada district. The project was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas parade in 2025.
Officials said the programme aims to reduce dependence on LPG and firewood while ensuring access to clean and sustainable energy in rural households. The project is being executed by the Garudeshwar taluka panchayat and monitored by the District Rural Development Agency.
So far, more than 665 biogas plants have been installed, with work underway to cover the remaining households.
Residents say the initiative has improved daily life. Ravina Tadvi, from Vaghpura village located about 7 km from the Statue of Unity, said her family no longer depends on LPG cylinders and now has access to a steady supply of clean fuel. She added that the by-product from the plant is being used as organic manure, helping improve crop yields.
Another resident, Chandu Tadvi, said the scheme has particularly benefited women, who earlier had to travel long distances to collect firewood and cook in smoky conditions. With biogas, cooking has become easier and safer.
Officials said the project not only provides clean fuel but also supports farming through the use of biogas slurry as fertiliser, according to ANI.
With installations progressing steadily, the initiative is being seen as a step towards improving rural living conditions, reducing reliance on conventional fuels, and supporting sustainable development in the region.
