Biogas plant built for millions of rupees in Tikapur lies in ruins

A biogas plant built for about 16 million rupees at a cattle shelter in Tikapur Municipality-5 of Kailali has fallen into disrepair after never becoming operational.

The plant was built with the aim of extracting gas from the dung of stray cattle and supplying it through pipes to about 55 poor households. The project began in fiscal year 2076/77 with joint investment from the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and the municipality, with the central government bearing about 65 percent of the cost and the municipality about 35 percent. The construction contract went to Nepal Urja Bikas Company of Kathmandu.

After failing to receive a regular gas supply, consumers who had switched to biogas have gone back to LP gas and firewood. With no maintenance, the plant's iron structures have rusted, and equipment including the engine has been deteriorating.

Uttam Kumar Shah, chair of the Tikapur cattle shelter, said the plant has fallen into ruin because the concerned body has not paid attention to its upkeep. He said maintenance would be easier if the plant were handed over to the cattle shelter. Shah added that it remains unclear who is responsible for running it, leaving them uncertain where to take the problem.

According to Shah, the municipality had earlier allocated about 500,000 rupees for the plant. The municipality had also set a tariff of about 45 rupees per unit for consumers, but locals have complained that the rate is too high.