At a time when global tensions, especially in regions like the Strait of Hormuz, often trigger concerns over cooking gas supply and rising LPG prices, one household in Kerala remains unaffected.
Meet Ratnamma from Arattuvazhi in Alappuzha, whose kitchen has been running for over a decade on an unusual and entirely local energy source: natural gas emerging from a borewell in her backyard.
The story dates back to 2011, when Ratnamma’s family drilled a borewell in search of clean drinking water. Even after digging up to 75 feet, they found only muddy water and eventually abandoned the effort due to rising costs. However, an unexpected twist followed.
While a plumber attempted to seal the borewell, a bystander lit a matchstick nearby—sparking a sudden flame at the mouth of the well. What initially caused panic soon turned into curiosity, as the family realised the presence of flammable gas.
Rather than letting the discovery go to waste, Ratnamma explored whether the gas could be harnessed for cooking. With the plumber’s help, a pipe was connected from the borewell to the kitchen stove.
The experiment worked. The first item prepared was a simple cup of black coffee—without any unusual smell or taste.
Despite the success, initial fears lingered. Her husband, Rameshan, worried about safety and even kept buckets of water ready through sleepless nights, fearing a possible accident. But as days turned into months and years, confidence replaced fear.
For more than a decade now, Ratnamma has been cooking all her meals using this unconventional fuel source—without relying on LPG cylinders.
Interestingly, similar cases have now been reported from parts of Alappuzha, including Arattuvazhi and Kalapura ward, where failed borewells have been found to emit methane-rich natural gas.
Residents using this “borewell gas” claim it is a sustainable and cost-free alternative, helping households save up to ₹10,000 annually on cooking fuel.
The phenomenon highlights how accidental discoveries, when combined with local ingenuity, can offer practical and eco-friendly energy solutions.