Surat: As global fuel supply chains face disruption due to the ongoing war, Gujarat’s Surat—often called the Diamond City—has begun producing compressed biogas (CBG) from municipal waste, offering a local solution amid the gas shortage, The Times of India reported.
The plant, operated by the Surat Municipal Corporation, is currently generating around two tonnes of gas per day by processing nearly 50 tonnes of waste. With production crossing this level, the city has started supplying the fuel to commercial gas distribution companies.
The project has been developed in partnership with Biofics, which specialises in converting organic waste into CBG and organic fertiliser.
At full capacity, the facility is expected to handle 120 tonnes of waste daily and produce up to five tonnes of gas. Officials said the fuel, priced between Rs 69 and Rs 90 per kilogram depending on quality, could meet the daily requirements of around 130 CNG buses or provide cooking energy for 6,000 to 7,000 households.
P. H. Umrigar, medical officer of health at the civic body, said the project was initiated about a year ago and has been generating gas for the past six months. “It is an important project through which we are generating energy from waste,” he said.
The plant sources waste from nearly 500 bulk generators, including hotels, housing societies, commercial establishments, vegetable markets, food processing units and institutional kitchens. The waste is collected directly and transported to the facility for processing.
Jayesh Patil, marketing head at Biofics, said such initiatives can reduce landfill use while creating a steady domestic energy source. He added that the project also produces slurry, which is converted into organic fertiliser for use in agriculture.
According to the company, the plant and its systems have been largely designed and manufactured in India, supporting the “Make in India” initiative and reducing reliance on imported technology.
