Font size:
Print
Gwalior Hosts India’s First Modern Gaushala with Advanced CBG Plant
Context:
On October 2, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Gwalior, showcasing India’s commitment to the “Waste to Wealth” initiative.
About the CBG Plant:
- Location and Capacity: The plant is located in Adarsh Gaushala, Gwalior’s largest cowshed, situated in Laltipara. Operated by the Gwalior Municipal Corporation, it houses over 10,000 cattle and processes 100 tonnes per day (TPD) of waste.
- Unique Features
- Modern and Self-Sufficient Facility: The gaushala is the first of its kind in India, blending traditional cattle care with cutting-edge biogas technology.
- Waste Utilisation: The plant converts cattle dung, along with vegetable and fruit waste from Mandis and households, into compressed biogas.
- Collaboration and Investment: The ambitious project, developed over 5 acres, is a result of a collaboration between the Indian Oil Corporation and the district authorities. It involves an investment of ₹31 crores, showcasing the potential of public-private partnerships.
Significance of the Plant:
- Transformation of Resources: The CBG plant at Adarsh Gaushala converts cow dung into Bio-CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and organic manure, promoting sustainable practices. The facility:
- Processes 100 tons of cattle dung daily, producing:
- 2-3 tons of Bio-CNG as a clean energy source.
- 10-15 tons of dry bio-manure, a boon for organic farming.
- Includes windrow composting for additional organic waste processing.
-
- First CBG Plant of Madhya Pradesh: This marks the first CBG plant in the state, setting an example for sustainable waste management practices and renewable energy generation.
- Technological and Environmental Impact: The technologically advanced plant exemplifies long-term sustainability by reducing carbon emissions, thus aiding climate change mitigation. It demonstrates the effective use of cow dung, traditionally underutilised, as a renewable resource.
- Economic and Social Benefits
- Employment Creation: The project generates local jobs, enhancing livelihoods and boosting the green energy economy.
- Farmer Benefits: Farmers in neighbouring districts gain access to affordable bio-manure, encouraging a shift toward organic farming.
- A Model for Sustainability: The Laltipara Gaushala CBG Plant is a pioneering example of societal and governmental collaboration, setting a world-class benchmark in sustainable development. It is India’s first self-sufficient gaushala, balancing environmental, economic, and social goals, and serves as a replicable model for other regions.
