Bargarh: In a boost to non-fossil fuel production, Governor Ganeshi Lal Wednesday laid the foundation stone for a second generation ethanol bio-refinery plant at Baulasingha village under Bhatli in Bargarh district Wednesday. The plant will be the first of its kind in the country to produce ethanol from paddy straw.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said the plant will spur socio-economic growth of the people in the region. He termed the project as a gift of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Odisha.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Prime Minister aims to double the income of the farming community. He said 12 such projects will be set up across the country to make use of paddy straw to produce ethanol. He also hinted that five such projects are likely to be set up in the district.
The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) will pump in Rs 1,000 crore to set up the plant with a capacity to produce three crore litres of fuel grade ethanol annually from paddy straw. The ethanol produced from the plant will be added to petrol.
The commercial production is expected to start after its mechanical commissioning in December 2020. The BPCL has planned to set up a few more plants in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Bargarh bio-refinery will make use of two lakh tonne of straw annually. The plant will boost farming in Bargarh and the neighboring districts as thousands of farmers living in Bhatli, Ambabhona, Attabira, Sohela and Burla will benefit by selling their leftover straw.
State Handloom and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria and Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya were also present during the function.
PNN
