The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has initiated a project to convert dung from stray cattle into biogas and electricity, integrating cattle control efforts with an eco-friendly energy model. This move not only helps in waste management but also reduces operational expenses at municipal shelters. The project is managed by AMC’s Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), which collects stray cattle from city streets and relocates them to cow shelters at Bakrol and Danilimda, known as Karuna Mandir.
At these shelters, the dung produced by the animals is processed in biogas plants to generate fuel and electricity. Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani mentioned that the civic body launched the ‘Stray Cattle Nuisance Prevention and Control Policy’ in 2023 to tackle the issue of roaming cattle. Under this policy, stray cattle are taken off the city roads and placed in shelters where they are cared for and provided medical attention.
The Bakrol facility, spanning 50,000 square meters, accommodates approximately 750 cattle and yields around 2,800 kg of dung daily. The site has two biogas plants, each capable of processing one tonne of dung per day. This processing results in about 46 kg of biogas and nearly 35 units of electricity daily. Similarly, the Danilimda shelter houses around 350 cattle and produces about 1,700 kg of dung daily, with a biogas system set up to generate gas and electricity.
The gaushalas have been transformed into zero-waste campuses by AMC, where all biodegradable waste is managed on-site. The biogas generated is utilized for cooking purposes for approximately 32 workers and their families residing at the facility. This transition has eliminated the necessity for about 27 LPG cylinders per month, leading to savings of around Rs 10,350 in electricity expenses. Moreover, at Bakrol, over 1,000 rotis are cooked daily using biogas to feed cows and dogs.
The residue from the biogas plants is repurposed as fertilizer for plantations within the campus. Additionally, the dung is utilized to produce sticks that are distributed free of charge to temples for religious rituals, providing employment to 13 workers. AMC aims to expand the project by incorporating vegetable waste from city markets into the biogas plants to enhance output. This initiative aligns with Gujarat’s broader efforts to enhance solid waste management, following the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, while also addressing urban challenges related to stray cattle.
