Shyam Rao Shirke: The man who makes tea from nullah-emitted gas stove

Shyam Rao Shirke, a mechanical contractor who patented production of bio-CNG from sewage sludge, has shared how his initiative became functional.

"I collected water from drains and made mini 'collector' to collect water bubbles, used a drum to make a gas holder. When tested, system was functional. I connected it to a gas stove and made tea," Shirke said in an interview to ANI.

Sharing that Chhattisgarh Science and Technology gave him money to take it to the next level, Shirke said he built and installed it in a nullah.

"In three days enough gas was collected. It was installed in a house where food was prepared for 4-5 months," the mechanical contractor said.

"Scientists told me my paper has been sent to higher authorities. It had already been 2 years hence, I had forgotten about it. Yesterday I came to know Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has mentioned my invention in his speech," he added.

Sharing his ordeal, Shirke said he had no financial assistance.

"People from Municipality threw away the equipment, saying it's a wastage. People from Science and Technology asked me to lodge FIR. I was disappointed so didn't do anything," he said.

Addressing a public rally in Karnataka's Bidar on Monday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi over the story about a tea seller making use of gas from a nearby drainage.

"Modi promised to give 2 crore jobs to youth, now, he says make pakoras... make 'gas from drainage', he said.

Reacting on Congress President's remark, Shirke said he didn't know Rahul would be so "immature"

"Nallah emitting foul gases and polluting environment is now being used for something like this and creating fuel. It's in national interest. I didn't like what Rahul Gandhi ji said, never thought he's immature," Shirke said.

On August 10, Prime Minister Modi while addressing a World Biofuel Day event had spoken about the possibility of generating fuel from sewage gas. He told the story of a tea seller executing the process.