Berhampur: The civic body has evolved a plan for disposal of biodegradable waste and simultaneous production of biogas.

The Berhampur Municipal Corporation has installed a unit at the Mardarajpur vending zone for the purpose. With help from the National Institute of Science and Technology, it has identified 16 other sites to install de-composting units to produce biogas. The sites included four vending zones at Abhiram, Bada Bazar, Gate Bazar and Giri Market. It also includes five parks, five restaurants and a residential apartment.

"On-spot composting of vegetable and fish waste would address the cleanliness problem," said the civic body's assistant health officer Ranjit Patra. "Waste composting is done with help of African eco-friendly bacteria. They are most effective in processing waste into compost," said project consultant Bibhudatta Sahu. Three compost pits have been installed at the vending zone. "We can generate 6kg of biogas every day," he said.

"Three tea shop owners are using the biogas and the compost as manures for trees in parks. We are also planning to get a certificate of licence from the fertiliser department to sell the compost to farmers under the revenue model plan," said Sahu.

Special single burner stove and biogas connection has been provided to the tea kiosks. "We were using two LPG gas cylinders every month. Now, we have been using biogas on an experimental basis for the past two months. Though its cost is yet to be finalised, we are happy that waste is being used productively," said tea kiosk owner Santosh Kumar Mahankuda.