Mumbai: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has called for coordinated efforts by the Centre, Maharashtra government, industry and financial institutions to speed up the development of compressed biogas (CBG) projects in Maharashtra by utilising agricultural residues, cattle dung, press mud and municipal organic waste, ANI reported.
The company organised a workshop, “Waste to Wealth – Scaling GOBARdhan”, in Mumbai on Thursday in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the Maharashtra government. The discussions focused on policy support, financing, feedstock availability and infrastructure needed to expand the state’s CBG sector.
BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna said CBG production could help convert organic waste into renewable energy while contributing to scientific waste management, sustainable agriculture and rural employment.
He highlighted the potential of organic manure generated by CBG plants to improve soil fertility, noting its role in connecting clean energy production with sustainable farming practices.
Vikas Singh, Director (GP) at MoPNG, outlined the Centre’s plans to expand the GOBARdhan initiative and emphasised the need for cooperation among government departments, urban local bodies, farmers, industry and financial institutions.
Singh called on the Maharashtra government to align its state policy with the initiative, create a land bank and assess feedstock availability in detail to facilitate the establishment of CBG plants.
Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal stressed the importance of effectively utilising agricultural waste and municipal solid waste for clean energy production and scientific waste management.
The workshop covered the GOBARdhan scheme, the Model State CBG Policy and SASCI 2026-27, as well as Maharashtra’s CBG policy and its implementation requirements. BPCL’s research and development team also presented a session on enriched fermented organic manure (EFOM), highlighting its potential to improve soil health and promote sustainable agriculture.
Participants examined challenges facing the sector, including the need for assured offtake, predictable pricing, simplified approval procedures, financing and adequate supporting infrastructure.
BPCL reaffirmed its role in the CBG sector as a producer, offtaker and facilitator. The company stressed the importance of collaboration among government agencies, farmers, cooperatives and industry to convert policy objectives into operational projects, ANI stated.
