CHENNAI: An Indian project has been shortlisted as a finalist on BBC World News’ “World Challenge 2011”. A bio-gas project, initiated and managed by social and developmental organisation, Hand in Hand in Mamallapuram, is one of the 12 finalists who will be showcased on the channel at the end of this month, after which the winner will be chosen by an online poll.Called Trash to Gas, the project is being run in conjunction with Mamallapuram town panchayat, and converts the food waste generated by hotels into bio-gas. This is done through a 100cu m bio-gas plant, which is used to generate electricity through a 12.5 KVA generator specially designed to run on this gas. The project was shortlisted out of 640 international entries, and the only one form India to make it to the finals.Speaking at a press conference, Chief Operating Officer of Hand in Hand N Amuthasekaran said, “The local body has been very helpful to us; we could not have carried the project forward if not for their cooperation. The project is self- sustainable, and employs 45 people.” He also said that if the project was to be among the first three places, the grant from Shell would enable them to expand operations.The first place will win a grant of USD 20,000, and two runners up will get USD 10,000 each. When asked if the organisation would think of similar operations in Chennai as well, Krishnamurthi, Solid waste management project head, said, “We can support the corporation by helping spread awareness and share our technical know-how. We are already involved in talks with areas like Sholinganallur, Meenambakkam, Pallikaranai and Chembarambakkam.
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