<p>Tamil Nadu’s persistent issues with solid waste management may be solved soon with Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC’s) bio-methanation plants, which not only promises to generate manure, but also power sufficient to light up streets. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Several government agencies, educational institutions and business organisations have shown an interest in signing a deal with BARC for setting up the plant at their backyard. <br /><br />“We are planning to set up 50 non-conventional bio-methanation plants in various districts. Small plants can process half-a-tonne to five tonnes of biodegradable garbage every day while larger ones can handle 25 or 50 metric tonnes”, senior scientist for technical coordination wing at BARC J Daniel Chellappa told <em>Deccan Herald</em>.<br /><br />The official said the bio-methanation plant project, named Nisargruna, produces natural manure and also gaseous methane fuel as a by-product. The methane gas can be used for heating or cooking, or for generating electricity for lighting-up streetlights.<br /><br />Daniel Chellappa said the plant can process food waste, kitchen waste, vegetable peels, abattoir waste, flower and fruit waste and agro waste.<br /><br />According to State Municipal Administration department, Chennai alone generates about 5,000 tonnes of garbage per day. A senior official of that department also said about one lakh tonnes of garbage is being generated on daily basis across Tamil Nadu.<br /><br />The wastes, which consists of about 60 per cent bio-degradable materials, are dumped in yards. <br /><br />“Dumping of garbage may lead to various health hazards to the people living nearby”, the official pointed out.<br /><br />“The first such plant is coming up in Chennai at a cost of Rs 40 lakh which includes one year operational and maintenance charges. The pilot plant can handle two tonnes of biodegradable garbage per day”, Daniel Chellappa said.</p>
<p>Tamil Nadu’s persistent issues with solid waste management may be solved soon with Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC’s) bio-methanation plants, which not only promises to generate manure, but also power sufficient to light up streets. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Several government agencies, educational institutions and business organisations have shown an interest in signing a deal with BARC for setting up the plant at their backyard. <br /><br />“We are planning to set up 50 non-conventional bio-methanation plants in various districts. Small plants can process half-a-tonne to five tonnes of biodegradable garbage every day while larger ones can handle 25 or 50 metric tonnes”, senior scientist for technical coordination wing at BARC J Daniel Chellappa told <em>Deccan Herald</em>.<br /><br />The official said the bio-methanation plant project, named Nisargruna, produces natural manure and also gaseous methane fuel as a by-product. The methane gas can be used for heating or cooking, or for generating electricity for lighting-up streetlights.<br /><br />Daniel Chellappa said the plant can process food waste, kitchen waste, vegetable peels, abattoir waste, flower and fruit waste and agro waste.<br /><br />According to State Municipal Administration department, Chennai alone generates about 5,000 tonnes of garbage per day. A senior official of that department also said about one lakh tonnes of garbage is being generated on daily basis across Tamil Nadu.<br /><br />The wastes, which consists of about 60 per cent bio-degradable materials, are dumped in yards. <br /><br />“Dumping of garbage may lead to various health hazards to the people living nearby”, the official pointed out.<br /><br />“The first such plant is coming up in Chennai at a cost of Rs 40 lakh which includes one year operational and maintenance charges. The pilot plant can handle two tonnes of biodegradable garbage per day”, Daniel Chellappa said.</p>
