Pramesh S Jain
In a revolutionary step towards sustainable urban water management and the circular economy,under the visionary guidance and leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister,DK Shivakumar,the Bangalore Water Supply & Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to transform sewage sludge into a massive source of income.
By upgrading raw biogas generated across five of its major sewage treatment plants into high-value Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), the board will unlock an estimated additional revenue of INR 120 Crore over the next two decades.
This marks a historic milestone,as it will be the first and biggest project of its kind in the country.While similar initiatives in India,such as the plant in Surat,operate utilizing merely 120 MLD of water,BWSSB is executing this monumental project utilizing a massive 550 MLD of sewerage water.
Furthermore,to maximize this potential,the BWSSB Chairman has issued instructions to expand and install this cutting-edge project wherever bio-digesters are currently present at STPs across the city.
Currently,most biogas at these STPs is used for in-situ power generation, while one facility simply flares the gas.
The project proposes to upgrade this raw biogas into CBG meeting national standards for injection into the City Gas Distribution Network or use as a clean transport fuel.
By shifting from electricity offsetting to revenue-generating biogas conversion, about INR 120 crore is the estimated additional revenue potential for BWSSB.
Executed under a robust Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, the private concessionaire will bear the entire Rs.85-crore capital expenditure along with all operational and maintenance costs, ensuring absolute zero financial risk for BWSSB.
The board will provide approximately 13,000 sq.m of land within STP premises for project operations, without the creation or transfer of any land ownership.
Beyond financial gains,this initiative acts as a massive boost to the energy security of Bengaluru.
While India currently remains largely energy-dependent, converting waste gas across the country without any government expenditure can generate substantial wealth and pave the way for national energy independence.
This Bengaluru initiative is perfectly positioned to become a national role model for other Indian cities to replicate.
Highlighting this extraordinary financial and environmental triumph,BWSSB Chairman,Dr.Ram Prasath Manohar IAS stated,”Under the continued guidance and leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister DK.Shivakumar,we are literally turning waste into a massive source of wealth.
Processing 550 MLD of sewerage water makes this the biggest and most ambitious project of its kind in India.
This brilliantly structured PPP model allows us to generate over INR 120 crore in fresh revenue without investing a single rupee in capital or operations.
It is a monumental win that dramatically boosts our financial health,enhances our city’s energy security, and sets a powerful national model for India’s journey toward energy independence.”
Paving the way for this historic initiative,the State Cabinet recently granted formal approval for the Rs. 85-crore biogas purification and compression project, officially authorizing BWSSB to proceed with this 20–year concession agreement.
