Kashmir gets first 25,000-litre community biogas plant in Ganderbal

Srinagar, April 27: The Rural Development Department (RDD) Kashmir has initiated the construction of a 25,000-litre capacity community biogas plant under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (SBM-G) in Pathribal Gund area of Ganderbal district, officials said.

The project, with an estimated cost of ₹35 lakh, is part of a Union Territory-wide initiative that envisages the installation of one such plant in each district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officials said the plant under execution in Ganderbal is expected to be the first of its kind to become operational in the Kashmir Valley, marking a step toward decentralized renewable energy generation and structured rural waste management.

The facility will operate on anaerobic digestion, using cattle dung sourced from the local community on a rotational basis. Through microbial decomposition in an oxygen-free environment, the process will generate methane-rich biogas and organic slurry.

The biogas produced is intended to meet cooking fuel needs of around 10 households, while the slurry will be used as nutrient-rich manure for agricultural purposes.

To address climatic challenges in the region, the digester is being equipped with a thermostatic control system to maintain optimal temperatures for microbial activity. In addition, IoT-based sensors are being integrated to monitor parameters such as gas pressure, temperature, pH levels, and feedstock input in real time.

Officials told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the project is designed to reduce dependence on conventional fuels such as LPG and firewood, while also providing a structured mechanism for disposal of cattle waste.

The initiative is also expected to contribute to environmental goals by reducing methane emissions from unmanaged waste and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

A community participation model has been planned for the plant’s operation, with local households and dairy farmers contributing feedstock. A user-group committee will be formed to oversee operations, maintenance, and equitable distribution of biogas.

Authorities said the project will serve as a demonstration model for similar installations across the Union Territory, highlighting the feasibility of community-scale biogas systems in high-altitude regions.