Narmada, May 14: In a significant move towards energy self-sufficiency, the Gujarat government is equipping around 1,000 tribal families living near the Statue of Unity with biogas plants. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on LPG cylinders and firewood. As the project nears completion, 665 units have already been established.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this plan during the National Unity Day parade last year in Ekta Nagar, stating that biogas plants would be set up for tribal families in the vicinity of the Statue of Unity.
The project is being implemented across 89 villages within 38 gram panchayats in the Garudeshwar taluka of Narmada district, under the supervision of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA).
Officials noted that this initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote energy independence at the household level, utilizing organic waste for cooking fuel and agricultural inputs.
The government is covering the entire installation cost, while beneficiaries are required to contribute labor for digging the necessary pits for the plants.
Reports indicate that the establishment of these plants is transforming cooking practices and fuel usage in the region.
Ravina Tadvi, a resident of Vaghpura village located about seven kilometers from the Statue of Unity, shared that this system has alleviated uncertainties related to LPG supply, providing a continuous source of clean fuel.
Villagers expressed relief, stating, “We no longer worry about LPG cylinders. The biogas plant provides clean fuel daily, and the waste generated has become an excellent alternative to chemical fertilizers in agriculture. The use of organic fertilizers has also increased crop yields.”
Another local resident, Chandu Tadvi, mentioned that this initiative has reduced the daily burden on women who previously relied on collecting firewood and traditional cooking methods.
He explained, “Earlier, after working in the fields, they had to travel long distances to gather firewood. Cooking on traditional stoves produced smoke that harmed their eyes, but now, with biogas, they are free from smoke and self-sufficient in cooking fuel.”
According to officials, biogas units also generate slurry, which is being used as organic fertilizer, thereby decreasing reliance on chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
With over 665 plants already established, the remaining units are expected to be completed as part of the ongoing expansion in identified villages.
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