Amid LPG shortages across India, residents of Batspur village in Bihar's Gaya district remain self-reliant using a biogas plant from cow dung. Around 40-50 homes receive gas via pipelines, unaffected by the crisis. Established under the Lohia Swachh Abhiyan and Gobardhan Yojana, the plant serves as an inspiring model for rural areas.
LPG shortages have caused distress in many parts of India, with long queues for cylinders in cities and impacts on hotels and restaurants. In contrast, Batspur village in Bihar's Gaya district, under the Bodh Gaya block, has remained unaffected. For several years, villagers have been cooking with gas from a biogas plant made from cow dung.
The plant was set up under the Lohia Swachh Abhiyan and Gobardhan Yojana. Approximately 40-50 homes in the village are connected through pipelines that deliver the gas directly. Each household has a meter outside to track usage. Residents exchange cow dung for free gas, while others pay 25 rupees per unit. The residue from gas production is used as organic fertilizer in fields.
Lalita Devi, a villager, said, "Earlier, cow dung piled up outside homes, causing dirt. Now, it's turned into gas, and the leftover serves as manure for farming." Chanchala Kumari added, "Cooking with this gas is straightforward; the flame is strong, and meals are ready in about 30 minutes, with the same taste as from wood stoves."
Village head Ishwar Manjhi stated that gas supply has been provided to around 50 homes for the past four years. This has protected women from smoke and maintained village cleanliness. The initiative offers a practical example of self-reliance using local resources for other rural communities.
