Ahmedabad: Amid panic booking of LPG cylinders reported across the country due to the ongoing Iran conflict and rationing of commercial gas supply, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched a pilot project to provide cow dung sticks (tiki/chhana) as an alternative fuel to temples, hostels, community kitchens and other institutions. Till now, 350 kg of cow dung sticks have already been supplied to Annakshetras, the civic body said.

Concern over shortage of LPG has led to a sudden surge in domestic cylinder bookings, while supply of commercial LPG has been restricted, affecting canteens, religious kitchens, tea stalls, dhabas and small commercial units. In view of the situation, the civic body has started supplying cow dung sticks produced at municipal gaushalas to reduce dependence on cooking gas and firewood.

As per the civic body, around 3,800 kg of dung, grass and green waste generated daily from nearly 930 animals kept at Danilimda and Bakrol Karuna Mandir gaushalas are being used to produce dung sticks, fertilizer, biogas, soil-enrichment material and other products under the circular economy concept.

Under the pilot phase, AMC’s CNCD Department has identified hostels, temple kitchens, community kitchens, canteens and small commercial units that use large quantities of LPG. These units have been requested to use dung sticks instead of gas or wood for cooking and steam generation. So far, about 1,000 kg of dung sticks have been kept ready for supply, of which nearly 350 kg has already been distributed to selected institutions.

AMC said dung-based products are already being used for multiple purposes in the city. In recent years, dung sticks have been used in religious events, crematoriums and municipal gardens, while biogas and manure prepared from waste are being utilised for energy generation and soil enrichment. More than 4,800 kg of dung sticks have been used in AMC crematoriums, and religious institutions including Jagannath Temple, Nagarvel Hanuman Temple and Gayatri Temple have also used dung cakes for havan and puja.

Officials stated that the pilot project will continue depending on demand and availability, and may be expanded if the shortage of LPG persists.