This was disclosed at a two-day workshop on “landfill capping, methane gas recovery and industrial applications and carbon credit earning mechanism”, here.

Officials from the Ministry of Urban Development, World Bank, experts from foreign firms and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) took part in the workshop. Officials from the local bodies were also told that funds will not be a problem for those implementing municipal solid waste management rules concerning landfill sites.

A K Mehta, Joint Secretary in the Urban Development Ministry said in his keynote address that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the landfill sites could be submitted under schemes other than JNNURM also.

“It is not funding, but rather the know-how that Urban Local Bodies should concentrate on and find answers from within,” he said, adding that funds could even be sourced under the scheme in the next fiscal for sustainable habitat.

According to urban management consultant P U Asnani, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) had carried out tests at the Pirana site, the first such project in India. He said the site can be ready for operations within a year of its start.

Methane gas can be tapped and straightaway channelised for distribution to nearby industries, saving transportation costs, he added.

Nimmi Damodaran of Startus Consulting Inc, Washington, said the Ahmedabad site had potential for methane extraction. Besides, this was a well-managed site, where methane could replace lignite that is being used by the surrounding industrial units.

Stratus will work in consultation with the Government of India on technical details of this site as it will also be showcased at the Methane to Markets Partnership Expo to be held in New Delhi in March 2010. Municipal Commissioner I P Gautam said methane from the Pirana site will last for at least the next 30 years.

“Tenders will be issued once the technology is finalised. The seminar is being held to enable ULB officials from various cities have an understanding of technological aspects,” he said,

adding that vision and willpower was missing in ULBs’ efforts on landfill site.