Mumbai Metro is building 1.5-TPD biogas plant that will run on municipal waste

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) is taking strides in environmental responsibility by initiating biogas production to power the LT Market as part of its Corporate Environment Responsibility program.

MMRC has awarded a contract for the development of a 1.5-TPD biomethanation plant to convert tonnes of municipal organic wet waste into electricity daily. This collaboration with the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation aligns with the environmental clearance for the Kalbadevi-Girgaon building redevelopment project.

R. Ramana, MMRC Director, highlights that the generated biogas will light up the LT Market at Grant Road, contributing positively to the city’s welfare. He emphasizes the project’s role in clean energy production, environmentally friendly waste management, greenhouse gas reduction, and cost-effective waste transportation.

Aerocare Aviation Services Ltd., the contracted company, will handle the installation, operation, and maintenance of the biogas project, leveraging their experience in similar ventures with the BMC. The project’s total cost is Rs. 74.61 lakh, with an expected output of 80-100 kWh per hour.

Additionally, in June 2023, BMC entered into an agreement with Mahanagar Gas Limited to establish a compressed biogas plant (CBG) capable of processing up to 1,000 tonnes of wet waste daily.

BMC will collect wet waste from various city sources, including hotels, restaurants, banquet halls, and vegetable markets, for processing into CBG.

Many municipal bodies have begun to move towards generating biogas and also managing their waste including the legacy waste. Recently, Guwahati will see the coming up of a biogas plant by IOCL to end the problem of municipal waste.