Rs 542.0 Million Biogas Project Stalled Over Land Issues in Belagavi
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rs 542.0 Million Biogas Project Stalled Over Land Issues in Belagavi

The compressed biogas project in Belagavi, valued at Rs 542.0 million (mn), has been put on hold due to lack of suitable land. The project, awarded to Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), has faced opposition at multiple proposed sites. Initially two city sites were shortlisted but residents resisted both, and a proposal at the Turmuri waste management facility to lease 10 acres for 25 years was abandoned after protests. Subsequent locations in the north and south zones also met similar resistance.

The Belagavi City Corporation has identified an alternative site and forwarded the proposal to the Urban Development Department for approval. Administrative approval for the project was granted on November 20, 2025, but land allocation remains unresolved even after five months. The project forms part of the Central Government's GOBARdhan Scheme under which GAIL and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) were tasked with executing waste to gas projects across Karnataka. Belagavi was assigned to GAIL because of its position along the Dabhol–Bengaluru gas pipeline.

The city generates around 150 t of wet waste daily that the plant was to process into biogas. The plan would require no capital contribution from the municipal corporation since GAIL will bear the full capital cost of Rs 542.0 mn and an annual operational expense of about Rs 76.9 million (mn). Stakeholders cited land availability and local resistance as principal obstacles and officials are seeking expedited clearance to keep timelines intact. Proponents say resolving land allocation would unlock benefits in waste management and local energy supply.

Compressed biogas is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic waste such as agricultural residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste and sewage, and the gas contains 55 to 60 per cent methane before purification and compression to CNG equivalence for use as a green fuel. The scheme aims to support sustainable waste management and provide an alternative fuel for automotive, industrial and commercial sectors while reducing environmental impact. Authorities engage with communities to identify a viable location and expedite approvals so that project objectives may be realised.

The compressed biogas project in Belagavi, valued at Rs 542.0 million (mn), has been put on hold due to lack of suitable land. The project, awarded to Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), has faced opposition at multiple proposed sites. Initially two city sites were shortlisted but residents resisted both, and a proposal at the Turmuri waste management facility to lease 10 acres for 25 years was abandoned after protests. Subsequent locations in the north and south zones also met similar resistance. The Belagavi City Corporation has identified an alternative site and forwarded the proposal to the Urban Development Department for approval. Administrative approval for the project was granted on November 20, 2025, but land allocation remains unresolved even after five months. The project forms part of the Central Government's GOBARdhan Scheme under which GAIL and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) were tasked with executing waste to gas projects across Karnataka. Belagavi was assigned to GAIL because of its position along the Dabhol–Bengaluru gas pipeline. The city generates around 150 t of wet waste daily that the plant was to process into biogas. The plan would require no capital contribution from the municipal corporation since GAIL will bear the full capital cost of Rs 542.0 mn and an annual operational expense of about Rs 76.9 million (mn). Stakeholders cited land availability and local resistance as principal obstacles and officials are seeking expedited clearance to keep timelines intact. Proponents say resolving land allocation would unlock benefits in waste management and local energy supply. Compressed biogas is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic waste such as agricultural residue, cattle dung, municipal solid waste and sewage, and the gas contains 55 to 60 per cent methane before purification and compression to CNG equivalence for use as a green fuel. The scheme aims to support sustainable waste management and provide an alternative fuel for automotive, industrial and commercial sectors while reducing environmental impact. Authorities engage with communities to identify a viable location and expedite approvals so that project objectives may be realised.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Products

Koemmerling opens Navi Mumbai experience centre

Koemmerling, a brand of the profine Group, has expanded its presence in the Mumbai metropolitan region with the opening of a new experience centre in Navi Mumbai and launched its Allure S46 minimal sliding door system for the Indian market.Located in CBD Belapur, the facility was inaugurated by Peter Mrosik, Owner and CEO, profine Group, along with Farid Khan, Chairman and Managing Director, profine India, and Kamal Bajaj, CEO, profine India.The company said the new centre will showcase its portfolio of uPVC and aluminium window and door systems to architects, developers and homeowners.The ina..

Next Story
Products

India's waterproofing market nears Rs 150 bn milestone

India's waterproofing industry is approaching a market size of Rs 150 billion and is expected to surpass the $2 billion milestone, according to speakers at the 2nd India International Waterproofers Conference & Expo 2026 organised by the Waterproofers Association of India (WAI) in New Delhi.The two-day event brought together more than 20 speakers, 55 international delegates and 53 exhibition booths, with discussions focusing on climate-resilient construction, advanced waterproofing technologies and international collaboration.Inaugurating the event, Durga Shanker Mishra, former Secretary, ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Dilip Buildcon Q1 FY27 Revenue at Rs 23.78 billion

Dilip Buildcon Limited reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 2,378 crore in Q1 FY27, along with EBITDA of Rs 429 crore and profit after tax of Rs 128 crore.Consolidated EBITDA margin stood at 18.1%, improving from 17.1% in Q4 FY26. On a standalone basis, revenue from operations was Rs 1,930 crore, EBITDA stood at Rs 199 crore and PAT was Rs 39 crore, with an EBITDA margin of 10.3%.The company’s order book stood at Rs 27,691 crore as of 30 June 2026, compared with Rs 28,830 crore as of 31 March 2026. Roads and highways accounted for 17.1% of the order book, irrigation and water ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement