Centuries old Kozhikode dumpyard will get CBG plant to turn waste into biogas

The Njeliyanparamba waste dumpyard, which many say exists for two centuries, in Kozhikode district of Kerala’s will soon get a compressed biogas (CBG) project to eat up the legacy waste and give clean fuel to the people.

In an important development, the Kozhikode Corporation, in partnership with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), is launching the CBG plant project at the site. The CBG project is aimed at producing up to 6-tonnes of cooking gas on everyday basis.

The CBG plant will be built with an estimated cost of Rs 99 crore and will be built on seven acres of land in Njeliyanparamba. The land will soon be allocated to the corporation. The previous Corporation Council approved the project after BPCL representatives submitted the necessary documents.

The construction of the CBG plant will commence once final government approval is secured, with the project is expected to be operational within 24 months. Approximately 150-180 tonnes of waste will be processed daily. The biogas produced in the plant that will be supplied to GAIL.

As per reports, a fuel station will also be established nearby, supplying fuel for vehicles operating within the plant. Additionally, the facility will generate 20-25 tonnes of organic fertilizer daily as a by-product, which will also be marketed. While waste collection will continue under the Haritha Karma Sena, BPCL will oversee all other operations.

The CBG plant which is being developed at Kochi’s Brahmapuram will be operational soon as the construction of the plant is expected to be completed by March end. The trial run of the CBG project will begin in the first week of April. Inspired by the success of Brahmapuram project, the Kerala Government is mulling to establish similar CBG facilities at five more locations across the state namely – Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Kollam, Kannur, and Changanassery.