GAIL Receives Approval to Set Up 150 Tonnes/Day Bio-Gas Plant.

The Goa state government has granted approval for Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to establish a 150 tonnes per day (TPD) compressed bio-gas (CBG) plant in the state. Initially proposed for Verna, the project will now be relocated to a different site, as the government decided against setting it up in Verna due to the presence of pharmaceutical companies in the area.

Waste Management Minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate confirmed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant directed the identification of a new site for the plant. "We have approved their proposal, and a new location will be found shortly," Monserrate said.

GAIL has proposed a 25-year concession agreement with the Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) for the uninterrupted supply of segregated organic municipal solid waste (MSW) and a lease of land at a nominal cost during the concession period. According to GAIL, the plant's viability requires a land parcel of approximately 10 acres and access to 150 TPD of segregated organic MSW.

The company will hold complete marketing rights for the products generated at the plant, including CBG and organic manure, while bearing the full cost of both capital and operational expenditure. GAIL also plans to handle the infrastructure costs, including road access, power, water supply, and sewerage connections to the plant site. The company has requested the GWMC's support in securing necessary permissions and clearances for the project.

Additionally, the GWMC will update the details with the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to obtain environmental clearance for another waste-to-energy facility at Verna. This facility, which will treat 250 TPD of waste, is expected to serve Mormugao and parts of Salcete taluka. The environment impact study for this project has been completed.

A senior government officer stated that, as the project is located in an industrial area, no public hearing is necessary for the environmental clearance. However, the clearance will come with certain conditions that the corporation must comply with.

ET