World Biofuel Day: PM Modi to Virtually Inaugurate Rs.900-crore Ethanol Plant in Panipat

On the occasion of World Biofuel Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate Rs.900-crore ethanol plant at the Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery on August 10.

The IOC's technical experts believe that the second generation (2G) ethanol plant, which will produce around 3 crore litres of ethanol yearly by using about 2 lakh tonnes of Crop waste, will be a game-changer to deal with the problem of stubble burning.

The preparations for the inauguration of the plant were in full swing as hundreds of workers were putting a lot of effort for the inauguration day.

The project, which is based on indigenous technology, would open a new chapter in India's waste-to-wealth endeavours by helping to address the issue of stubble burning, which annually suffocates the National Capital Region, especially Delhi, every Kharif harvesting season.

According to the technical experts, the plant will turn rice straw into ethanol, a renewable fuel, thus serving the dual purpose of discouraging stubble burning while also giving 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.

The farmers in Panipat, Karnal, Jind, Sonipat, and Kaithal will be able to sell their crop waste and earn extra money, according to the officials monitoring the plant. A total of 12 collection centres will be set up in Panipat and Karnal to help the farmers in bringing their crop waste.

The 2G ethanol plant will be officially inaugurated by the Prime Minister through video conference, according to Vivek Sharma, manager, CSR, PRPC. Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri will also attend the ceremony at the refinery, he added.