Rs 41 lakh project set for June rollout
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 27: The first Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) biogas plant in Ganderbal district is in an advanced stage of completion, with civil works finished and mechanical installation in progress at Rayil village in Gund block.
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According to officials, the project, being established under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), is expected to be commissioned by the end of June this year and will supply clean cooking fuel to around 15 households.
Block Development Officer (BDO), Sheikh Saifullah, said the plant is the only such facility in the district and has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 41 lakh by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, J&K.
“The project has two components-civil and mechanical. The civil works, including construction of the structure dome and chambers, have been completed. Tendering for the procurement of IoT-based systems is underway,” he said.
With a designed capacity of 25 cubic metres per day, the plant will process cattle dung and organic household waste through anaerobic digestion to generate biogas, primarily methane, for clean cooking.
The residue will be converted into nutrient-rich slurry to be used as organic manure.
The facility will be equipped with temperature-control mechanisms and IoT-based monitoring systems using sensors, microcontrollers and cloud connectivity to track real-time data and maintain optimal operating conditions for year-round efficiency.
Officials said the initiative aims at scientific solid and liquid waste management while promoting the “waste-to-wealth” concept.
It is expected to reduce dependence on firewood and LPG, improve sanitation, and support local agriculture through the availability of organic fertiliser.
Around 15 households are expected to receive biogas supply, while about 54 people will benefit directly from the project.
Local resident Muhammad Imran Bhat said the work has been ongoing for the past three months and the plant, approved by the Centre, will help reduce household expenditure on fuel and fertilisers.
“Cattle dung will be used to produce gas for supply to households, while the leftover material will be used as fertiliser, benefiting farmers,” he said, adding that similar plants across villages could enhance self-reliance.
He, however, urged authorities to expedite the pace of work and finalise tenders for machinery without delay.
Another resident, Gulzar Ahmad, said work on the project began in December 2025.
“What was earlier considered waste will now be used productively. Once operational, it will benefit the people,” he said.
Officials further said similar temperature-controlled biogas plants are under construction in Anantnag, Bandipora, Pulwama, Shopian and Kupwara districts and are expected to be completed by the end of this year, in line with the Government’s push for sustainable rural infrastructure and circular economy initiatives.
Launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), the GOBARdhan scheme is part of the Centre’s strategy to promote rural waste management and clean energy generation, with a focus on converting biodegradable waste into biogas and organic fertiliser while strengthening the circular economy framework in villages.
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