Karnataka: Biogas plant to turn market waste into clean energy at Bandipalya APMC

The Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) at Bandipalya in Mysuru, Karnataka, has begun construction of a new biogas production unit that will convert vegetable waste into compressed biogas (CBG). The biogas project marks a major step toward sustainable waste management and clean energy generation in the market area.

The Bandipalya market produces nearly 20–25 tonnes of organic waste daily, including spoiled vegetables, fruits, and other residues. To manage this, APMC currently employs 25 sanitation workers dedicated to collecting and disposing of the waste. Until now, the organic waste was processed into vermicompost and sold to farmers as organic manure. With the new biogas facility, APMC plans to move to the next level—turning this waste into renewable fuel through a public-private partnership (PPP).

An action plan worth Rs 24.9 crore has already been prepared and approved by the state government. The plant will be established on one acre of land within the market premises. Once operational, the biogas plant will not only manage waste efficiently but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by preventing waste from ending up in landfills.

The project will also contribute to cost savings and sustainability within APMC. The biogas generated is expected to be used as fuel for APMC’s vehicles and for powering lamps and other utilities within the market area.

As per reports, the tendering for the project will begin soon, paving the way for full-fledged implementation of the facility. The initiative is expected to set an example for market-based waste-to-energy projects across the state, combining cleanliness, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Biogas in Karnataka

There is an active bioenergy sector in Karnataka. The state recently approved GAIL India to set up a 300-tonne per day CBG plant in Bengaluru. Karnataka State Bioenergy Development Board (KSBDB) is in the process of drafting a compressed biogas policy to convert the agricultural residue into biogas.