Students and staff at the Shrimati Manekba Vinay Vihar Educational Complex near Adalaj in Gandhinagar are now self-sufficient in cooking gas, producing over 500 meals daily through on-site biogas. Managed by the Vasumati Charitable Trust, the institution runs two biogas plants with a total capacity of 90 cubic meters per day. These plants utilize cow dung from the trust’s cowshed, housing 222 cows, along with organic waste from the kitchen and surrounding fields.
Rahul Patel, the institution’s manager, mentioned the benefits of the Gujarat government’s ‘Institutional Biogas Plant Scheme’. He stated that the institution has achieved self-sufficiency in cooking gas, with cows providing ample dung. The slurry produced post-gas generation is used as organic fertilizer in the institution’s fields, promoting fully organic farming practices. If the biogas plant were not operational, the institution would require about 30 LPG cylinders monthly, but currently, none are necessary. Moreover, the slurry eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers.
The hostel at the complex caters to around 250 students, preparing meals twice daily for them, and also serves approximately 15 staff families residing on campus. Through the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) scheme, institutions are subsidized for installing biogas plants with capacities ranging from 25 to 85 cubic meters per day. Non-profit institutions can receive up to 75% of the cost, while profit-making institutions can get up to 50%.
In the last five years, Gujarat has established 193 institutional biogas plants with a total capacity of 13,955 cubic meters per day. For the financial year 2026–27, the scheme plans to set up around 60 more plants with a total provision of Rs 12 crore. Biogas, produced from the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste, serves as an affordable and eco-friendly cooking fuel. The resulting slurry, rich in nitrogen, acts as an effective organic fertilizer, supporting sustainable agriculture.
GEDA officials emphasized that the scheme promotes energy self-reliance, reduces environmental pollution, and encourages the scientific utilization of biological waste from gaushalas, animal shelters, educational institutions, and charitable trusts across Gujarat. This initiative aligns with Gujarat’s focus on alternative energy under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, showcasing the state’s dedication to sustainable development and clean energy solutions.
