Centre Targets Major Boost in Compressed Biogas Production

The Centre is targeting a tenfold increase in compressed biogas (CBG) production through the Gobardhan scheme, launched with an outlay of ₹23,731 crore to convert agricultural and organic waste into fuel, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said. The government aims to save more than ₹40,000 crore in fuel imports, add over ₹75,000 crore in value to the GDP and create around 1.5 lakh jobs through the initiative.

The scheme focuses on processing agricultural residues, cattle dung and food waste into renewable energy sources. The government will provide capital support for projects to increase CBG production from the current 0.4 million standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD) to 4–6 MMSCMD. The initiative is aimed at promoting cleaner energy, reducing dependence on fuel imports and generating employment through the conversion of organic waste into useful energy.