While Mysuru generates more than double the quantum of garbage that is processed at the Waste Treatment Plant at Vidyaranyapuram, a power crisis in the State is plunging the city into darkness during load
shedding.
Why can’t the excess garbage be used to generate electricity? The Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) Standing Committee on Town Planning and Improvement has mooted the idea of setting up biomethanation plants in each of the 65 wards of the city that produce electricity from waste.
To start with, the MCC will be setting up nine such biomethanation plants here at a cost of Rs. 2.72 crore, said Chairman of the Committee Shivakumar. “The Committee’s proposal has been approved by the MCC Council. We have sent it to the Deputy Commissioner for approval. Once, the approval comes, we will begin with setting up two such plants at Freedom Park in the city,” he said.
With each plant having a capacity to produce 10 kW of power from two tonnes of waste, Mr. Shivakumar said the electricity generated by these plants can be linked to the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (CESC) grid.
When the first biomethanation plant is set up at Freedom Park, the authorities will illuminate the lights in the park from the power generated at the plant. While biogas produced from the waste is used to generate power, the slurry can be used for manufacturing compost that can be sold. Each biomethanation plant, which costs around Rs. 30 to 35 lakh, can process around 3 to 4 tonnes of waste every day. “If the city is to hold on to its tag as the cleanest city, these biomethanation plants are essential,” Mr. Shivakumar said. Also, the civic body can save money for transporting the waste from different parts of the city to the Waste Treatment Plant at Vidyaranyapuram.
The MCC is unable to transport the waste from many wards to Plant in Vidyaranyapuram every day, leading to accumulation of garbage in most areas for more than a day or two. “These biomethanation plants can help treat the waste locally,” he said.
The proposal to establish biomethanation plants comes even as the nine ‘zero waste treatment plants’ set up are finding the going tough with insufficient collection of dry waste.
Solving the power problem with garbage
Nine biomethanation plants to be set up at Rs. 2.72 crore
First plant will come up at Freedom Park
Electricity generated by these plants can be linked to CESC grid
Each plant can process 3 to 4 tonnes of waste daily

Source : The Hindu