IOCL to set up biogas plant at Dadumajra, Chandigarh

In a major push toward managing solid waste scientifically, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up a state of the art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant at Dadumajra.

The CBG facility, based on segregated organic municipal solid waste (MSW), will be developed under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBFO) model. As per reports, the project is expected to significantly strengthen the city’s waste-processing ecosystem, reduce pressure on the existing landfill and boost clean-energy generation.

Under the agreement, the municipal corporation will supply 200 tonnes per day (TPD) of segregated organic waste and 30 TPD of cow dung to the CBG plant. IOCL will be responsible for designing, funding, constructing and operating the project. The civic body will also allot 10 acres of land at the Dadumajra dumping site on a nominal lease. The project includes development of a 33% green belt, compliance with CPCB environmental norms and acceptance of up to 10% mixed waste.

The upcoming plant will help Chandigarh advance its environmental and renewable-energy goals by improving scientific waste management, cutting landfill emissions and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. They said the initiative aligns with the city’s long-term sustainability roadmap.

The MoU signing was attended by senior municipal officials, including Commissioner Amit Kumar, Joint Commissioner Himanshu Gupta, Chief Engineer C.B. Ojha and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Inderdeep Kaur. IOCL was represented by Executive Director Ajit Thakur, General Manager Alok Kumar and Manager Sachin Swami.

The project falls under the Government of India’s SATAT scheme, which promotes CBG production through oil marketing companies. The proposal was placed before the general house meeting of the municipal corporation in August this year under which the corporation was ought to provide land for the project at a nominal lease of Rs 1 per acre and ensure a free supply of waste.