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Mohali MC clears 300-tonne biogas plant at Samgauli
The plant will have the capacity to process around 300 tonnes of segregated wet waste daily. It will use wet waste generated in Mohali and eight other nearby urban local bodies
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In a step towards resolving the long-pending issue of wet waste disposal in the city and surrounding areas, the Mohali municipal corporation (MC) House on Monday approved a proposal to establish a compressed biogas plant at Samgauli village in Dera Bassi. The House passed around 10 other proposals unanimously, while councillors also raised a number of local issues.
The plant will have the capacity to process around 300 tonnes of segregated wet waste daily. It will use wet waste generated in Mohali and eight other nearby urban local bodies to produce compressed biogas and organic manure.
The MC plans to provide 15 to 20 acres of its around 39-acre land available at Samgoli to HPCL Renewable and Green Energy Ltd, a subsidiary of Hindustan Petroleum, for the project. The land is proposed to be provided for 30 years either free of cost or at a nominal rent. Following the House approval, land demarcation, a feasibility assessment and other formalities will now be undertaken.
Waste from 9 civic bodies to be processed
According to the proposal, wet waste from nine urban local bodies – Mohali, Zirakpur, Kharar, Nayagaon, Dera Bassi, Kurali, Lalru, Banur and Gharuan – will be transported to the plant daily for processing. Besides the wet waste, 15 to 20 tonnes of cattle dung is also proposed to be supplied to the plant.
The company will bear the entire capital cost of establishing the plant and machinery and will also be responsible for its operation and maintenance.
The MC and the company will subsequently enter into a memorandum of understanding, waste supply agreement and long-term lease agreement for the land.
Brakes on bus parking fee proposal
A proposal to charge private and school buses ₹1,000 a day for parking was put on hold after councillors raised concerns over the financial burden it could create for operators and, indirectly, parents.
Councillor Paramjit Singh Kahlon objected to the proposal, saying bus operators already had several expenses, and sought a reduction in the proposed charges.
Congress councillor Narpinder Singh Rangi said higher parking expenses could prompt schools to increase transportation charges, ultimately affecting parents. MLA Kulwant Singh, however, said schools were bound by government rules governing fee increases and could not arbitrarily raise charges.
Mayor Sarabjit Singh Samana said the members’ concerns would be examined and the proposal would be revised, if required, before being brought back in the next House meeting.
Sanitation concerns
Congress councillor Narpinder Singh Rangi demanded that all House members be provided information about proposals approved by the finance and contract Committee. Kahlon questioned the city’s sanitation system and suggested that the entire cleaning operation be handed over to a single contractor. He particularly flagged waste collection in markets, saying even small dustbins were not emptied on time at several locations.
Night food street plan approved
The House also cleared the agenda for setting up night food streets for the benefit of professionals working odd hours but the decision on where these will come up will be discussed in the next meeting.
