BHILAI,CG,BHARAT: In a significant step towards promoting biofuel production from municipal solid waste, a tripartite concession agreement was signed on Monday between the Municipal Corporation Bhilai, Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).

The signing ceremony was attended by various dignitaries, including Durg Collector Richa Prakash Chaudhary, CBDA CEO Sumit Sarkar, BPCL Biofuel Head Anil Kumar P., and Bhilai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bajrang Dubey, along with senior officials from the Energy Department.

As part of the agreement, BPCL will invest Rs 60 crore to establish a Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant at the trenching ground in Jamul. The facility aims to utilize approximately 150 metric tons of solid waste generated daily from the Municipal Corporation Bhilai and surrounding areas in Durg district for biofuel production.

The project is expected to create 30,000 man-days of direct and indirect employment each year. Additionally, the plant will produce organic fertilizer as a by-product, promoting organic farming practices.

The establishment of the CBG plant is anticipated to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental cleanliness and supporting the state's goal of achieving net zero emissions.

The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) executed on March 13, 2024, between the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, and representatives from the Bhilai Municipal Corporation, CBDA, and BPCL, paving the way for the development of two compressed biogas plants in the region.