Delhi's Gurdwara plans to switch to biogas to run langar kitchen

Delhi's Gurdwara management committee has planned to switch from piped natural gas to biogas to run its langar kitchen in ten shrines here, including Bangla Sahib and Rakab Ganj Gurdwara.

The move is aimed at reducing carbon footprint, cut fuel cost and making the shrines environment-friendly, said Manjeet Singh GK, the president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC).

Initially, the biogas plants would be set up at Rakab Ganj and Bangla Sahib that generate the largest quantity of biodegradable waste, Singh said.

The community kitchen in these Gurdwaras serves food to around 30,000 visiting devotees every day. Each plant would have the capacity to manage four quintals of kitchen waste per day, he said.

"The biogas plant would be set up in collaboration with an internationally reputed organic waste converter company and is likely to be funded by a multinational corporation under its corporate social responsibility," Singh said.

The community kitchens of remaining eight Gurdwaras will switch to biofuel by the end of 2019 in a phased manner, said Harjit Singh, who heads renewable energy wing of DSGMC.

The operating cost of the plant is low and there is no need for maintenance for an initial two years. It is very easy to operate once installed, he said.

Besides providing clean fuel, these plants will also address efficient disposal of bio-waste. The manure produced in the process will be used as fertiliser for garden and lawns at the shrines, he added.