PTI

Madurai: Smokeless biomass gas stoves have been supplied to about 5000 households in Virudhangar under the rural development scheme.

Pellets made from agriculture waste are turned into fuel that is burned on the stove and is aptly called ‘Oorja´, official sources said.

The stove, promoted by BP Energy India Ltd has been developed by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

It was introduced on a large scale after a successful pilot study conducted in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.

BP Energy India Ltd was planning to expand their operation by August to other states, including Madhya Pradesh and Karnatka.

Priced at Rs 675 it has a chamber for burning pellets, and a mini fan which is powered by rechargeable batteries and controlled by a regulator which blows air to fan the flames.

The stove has combustion efficiency and clean fuel. According C Kamalam of Perungudi village, who has five members in his family, the cost on their consumption of fuel has already come down by 50% after she opted for Oorja stove.

450 gms of pellets is estimated to be enough to last a cooking exercise of 75 minutes. The company is so far looking at the rural market.