OIL, NRL together establishing 10 CBG Plants in Assam

Government owned companies Oil India Limited (OIL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) are building around 8 to 10 compressed bio-gas (CBG) plants across various districts in Assam and other North-East states.

This green initiative aims to transform waste into wealth and tackle the escalating waste management issues in urban areas of the North-East Region.

OIL C&MD and NRL Chairman Dr. Ranjit Rath, speaking as the Chief Guest at the Technical Symposium on ‘Creating Wealth from Waste: Role of Startups and New Enterprises’ organized by the Pollution Control Board of Assam in Guwahati, announced that collaborations with urban local bodies for municipal solid waste collection are already underway.

Dr. Rath highlighted that OIL Township in Duliajan is being developed into a SMART city, featuring modern living amenities such as solid waste disposal and treatment, improved drainage systems, and waste segregation at the source. He also mentioned OIL’s active involvement in addressing the legacy waste issue in Tinsukia. Dr. Rath emphasized the importance of segregating domestic waste at its source and pointed out potential opportunities for start-ups in this sector.

NRL’s Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan stressed the necessity of creating an effective ecosystem where industries support the collective initiatives of the Pollution Control Board of Assam to address environmental issues, especially given the unsustainability of current revenue models.

He encouraged young entrepreneurs to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and pursue startup ideas that provide solutions to these challenges.

Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Skill, Employment, and Entrepreneurship Development Dr. B Kalyan Chakravarthy (IAS), commended OIL and NRL for their dedicated efforts in waste-to-wealth management in the region.

Earlier this year, NRL signed a non-binding MoU with power giant NTPC Limited for partnership opportunities in the proposed bamboo-based Bio-Refinery at NTPC Bongaigaon and other green projects.  The efforts are aimed towards achieving the nation’s Net-Zero targets and be partners in the development of North Eastern Region.