Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually dedicate a ₹900-crore ethanol plant at the Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery on the occasion of World Biofuel Day on August 10.
As per technical experts from the IOC, the 2nd generation (2G) ethanol plant will prove a game-changer to deal with the problem of stubble burning as the plant will generate around 3 crore litres of ethanol annually by utilising about 2 lakh tonnes of crop waste.
The preparations for the inauguration of the plant were in full swing as hundreds of workers were working hard for the inauguration day.
Based on state-of-the-art indigenous technology, the project will turn a new chapter in India’s waste-to-wealth endeavours as it will help to solve the problem of stubble burning, which suffocates the National Capital Region, especially Delhi, every kharif harvesting season.
The technical experts claimed that the plant will convert rice straw into ethanol, a renewable fuel, thus serving the dual purpose of discouraging stubble burning while also providing them returns for their agricultural waste. “This project not only promotes the use of environment-friendly fuel but also aids in the fulfilment of the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income, claimed former environment minister Prakash Javadekar while announcing the plant in 2019.
As per the officials monitoring the plant, this would help the farmers of Panipat, Karnal, Jind, Sonepat and Kaithal to sell their crop waste and get additional income. A total of 12 collection centres will be set up in Panipat and Karnal to help the farmers in bringing their crop waste.
Vivek Sharma, manager, CSR, PRPC, said all the preparations for the inauguration have been completed and the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 2G ethanol plant via video conferencing and Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri will attend the inaugural function at the refinery.