BPCL Pushes for Coordinated Action to Scale Compressed Biogas in Maharashtra
BPCL urges coordinated action between government and industry to scale compressed biogas projects in Maharashtra using organic waste.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has called for a unified effort between the Central government, the Maharashtra state government, financial institutions, and industry players to accelerate the development of compressed biogas projects Maharashtra. The goal is to transform agricultural residues, cattle dung, and municipal waste into a sustainable source of clean energy.
The call for action came during a specialized workshop titled “Waste to Wealth – Scaling GOBARdhan,” held in Mumbai. This event was organized by BPCL in partnership with the Maharashtra government and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to tackle the hurdles surrounding policy, financing, infrastructure, and the availability of feedstock required to expand the compressed biogas (CBG) ecosystem.
Turning Waste into Wealth
Speaking at the workshop, BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Khanna emphasized that CBG is more than just an energy solution; it is an integrated approach to environmental and economic sustainability. He noted that by converting press mud, cattle dung, municipal organic waste, and agricultural residues into renewable energy, the state can advance scientific waste management and strengthen the circular economy.
Beyond energy production, Khanna highlighted the critical role of the byproduct of these plants: organic manure. He described the process as a symbiotic cycle where clean energy generation directly supports sustainable agriculture by improving soil fertility through the use of this manure.
A Vision for GOBARdhan Scaling
Vikas Singh, Director (GP) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, detailed the Central government's vision for the GOBARdhan initiative. He stressed that for the scheme to truly scale, there must be seamless coordination between urban local bodies, farmers, government departments, and financial institutions.
Singh specifically urged the Maharashtra government to take the following steps to facilitate CBG development:
- Align state-level policies with the central GOBARdhan initiative.
- Establish a dedicated land bank for project setup.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of available feedstock to ensure a steady supply for plants.
Supporting this vision, Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal pointed out the immense potential lying in the state's municipal solid waste and agricultural leftovers, calling for their efficient utilization to drive clean energy and scientific waste disposal.
Addressing the Bottlenecks
The workshop served as a platform to discuss the GOBARdhan scheme, the Model State CBG Policy, and SASCI 2026-27, alongside the specific implementation requirements of Maharashtra's own CBG policy. A technical session led by BPCL's research and development team also focused on Enriched Fermented Organic Manure (EFOM) and its ability to enhance soil health.
Participants identified several key challenges that need to be resolved to make CBG projects viable, including:
- Assured Offtake: Ensuring there is a guaranteed buyer for the produced gas.
- Price Stability: Creating a stable pricing mechanism.
- Regulatory Ease: Streamlining the approval process for new plants.
- Financial Support: Improving access to funding and necessary infrastructure.
BPCL reaffirmed its commitment to the sector, positioning itself not only as a producer but also as an offtaker and facilitator. The company emphasized that only through deep collaboration between cooperatives, farmers, industry, and government agencies can policy objectives be translated into operational, ground-level projects.