The Yogi Adityanath-led government is set to roll out a major rural development programme under the Chief Minister’s Gram-Urja Model, aimed at transforming energy use and promoting environmental sustainability in Uttar Pradesh’s villages, reports The Statesman.
In the first phase of the initiative, 2,250 domestic biogas units will be installed in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Gonda. The biogas units are designed to reduce dependence on LPG for cooking, produce organic manure, and support the state’s green energy goals. If successful, the programme will be expanded to cover 2.5 lakh rural households over the next four years.
Each biogas unit is priced at ₹39,300, but beneficiaries will only have to pay ₹3,990. The remaining cost will be covered through government subsidies and funding from carbon credit revenue. The project has already received clearance from the Department of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Shyam Bihari Gupta, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Go Seva Commission, said on Wednesday that the initiative will not only ease the burden of fuel expenses for villagers but also mark a significant step in conserving the environment. He estimated that rural households could reduce their LPG use by up to 70%, leading to substantial savings.
Dr. Anurag Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) at the Go Seva Commission, added that each biogas unit will serve dual purposes—providing clean cooking gas and producing nutrient-rich organic manure. This manure will enhance soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. He also noted that biogas could be explored as an alternative fuel for vehicles.
As part of the broader plan, cow shelters (gaushalas) will also be equipped with biogas and manure production facilities under the MGNREGA scheme. In the first phase, 43 gaushalas will be covered, each expected to produce about 50 quintals of slurry per month for use by nearby farmers.
Officials say the project is expected to generate new employment opportunities in rural areas and support the state’s vision for self-reliant, eco-friendly villages.
