Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday approved new rules to allow the production, sale, and blending of biodiesel with regular diesel for transport use, reports The Indian Express.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the rules will permit blending of up to seven per cent biodiesel with diesel. He added that fuel retailers in the state will now be allowed to open outlets to sell biodiesel.
According to the Cabinet note, biodiesel can be made from non-edible vegetable oils, used cooking oil, animal fats, and other bio-based oils. It pointed out that although blending of up to 7% is legally allowed, biodiesel has not been sold so far due to its lack of availability. A 2019 central government order already allows such retail outlets.
The Cabinet also approved the launch of Karnataka Geographical Information System (K-GIS V 2.0) at a cost of ₹150 crore. The project will be implemented by the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Centre and will make the state’s GIS system available to start-ups and private companies.
In another decision, the Cabinet fixed September 16 for a special meeting to discuss the third phase of the Upper Krishna Project. The project will involve raising the height of the Almatti Dam, which is expected to submerge about 75,000 acres of farmland. The government will decide on compensation for affected farmers.
Additionally, ₹391.82 crore has been cleared for the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to set up a sewage treatment plant at Byramangala Lake. The plant will have a capacity to treat 100 million litres of sewage water daily, with 25 million litres treated at a higher level for reuse.
