GHAZIABAD: A 'chaiwala' in Sahibabad has multiplied his profits with the help of 'gutter gas'. Replacing conventional LPG with gutter gas , Ramu Chaiwala is earning fourfold than what he was earning 2-3 weeks back.

Use of gutter gas is also gaining him more customers. Initially customers were sceptic about the use of gutter gas but when people realised that the taste of the tea has not changed, Ramu's popularity increased.

On world biofuel day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about use of gutter gas in cooking. His speech was trolled on social media but for Ramu, gutter gas has changed his livelihood.

Ramu, who lives in Karkad Model, used to place his stall near a Surya Nagar drain which is located nearby Indrprastha Enginering college (IEL), Sahibabad. IEL students were among regular customers of Ramu.

Two B.tech students, Abhishek Verma and Abhinendra Patel from IEL noticed the gas bubbles in the drain and thought about using the gas to provide for Ramu's tea stall's fuel requirements. Through chromotography they found that the drain released 60-70% methane gas. They decided to put 6 iron drums to collect the gas. Pipes were put into the drums and stove was connected with the pipe.

Ramu, who carried his chulha on cycle to his stall everyday connects the pipe to the chulha and makes tea with the help of the gutter gas emitted in the drain. Earlier Ramu was able to earn Rs. 5000 a month but now he earns this same amount in a week's time since his LPG expense has gone down to zero.

Verma and Patel had prepared the project in 2013 and also exhibited it to Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA) who had rejected it saying that it can lead to some mishap.

However, now students are receiving help from various other sources. The college administration who is actively supporting their project said that MSMEs are coming forward to help and they are also planning a workshop. Now, the students are planning to prepare project on Vasundhara drain.

Read the story in Hindi

