Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, hosted a high-level workshop titled “Waste to Wealth – Scaling GOBARdhan” in Mumbai. Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and the government of Maharashtra, the workshop aimed to strengthen the policy, institutional and implementation framework needed to accelerate Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects in Maharashtra.
The workshop brought together senior representatives from MoPNG, the Government of Maharashtra, the Centre for High Technology (CHT), oil and gas marketing companies, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), CBG developers, financial institutions, technology partners and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
The session was attended by Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra; Dr. K. H. Govind Raj, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department-2, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Vikas Singh, Director (GP), MoPNG; Ms. Yashika Mehta, Deputy Secretary (International Cooperation), MoPNG; Shri Sanjay Khanna, Chairman and Managing Director, BPCL; Shri Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing), BPCL; and Shri V. R. K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BPCL.
Turning Organic Waste into Clean Energy and Economic Value
Inderjit Singh, Chief General Manager (Biofuels), BPCL, highlighted Maharashtra’s substantial feedstock potential, particularly municipal solid waste and press mud. He emphasised the GOBARdhan initiative’s guiding principle, “कचरे से कंचन” (Kachre se Kanchan), which promotes the conversion of waste into valuable resources. He called for a shift in how stakeholders view waste—not merely as a disposal challenge, but as a resource for producing renewable energy, supporting sustainable agriculture and creating local economic opportunities.
BPCL Emphasises the Role of CBG in the Circular Economy
Sanjay Khanna, Chairman and Managing Director, BPCL, highlighted the potential of Compressed Biogas to transform waste management and strengthen the circular economy. “There is promise in what we discard, and possibility in what we overlook. Our task is to turn that promise into projects, that possibility into partnerships, and waste into lasting value. Let us make this workshop a bridge from policy to practice, from ideas to implementation, and from Maharashtra’s soil to a greener tomorrow,” he said.
He further explained that CBG projects can convert agricultural residues, cattle dung, press mud and municipal organic waste into clean, renewable energy. In addition, these projects can promote scientific waste management, support sustainable agriculture and generate rural employment. The organic manure produced by CBG plants can also improve soil fertility, creating a sustainable cycle that connects renewable energy production with agricultural development. As BPCL emphasised, the vision is to connect farm to fuel, fuel to fertility, and fertility back to farm, ultimately turning waste into wealth for society.
MoPNG Calls for Coordinated Policy and Infrastructure Support
Vikas Singh, Director (GP), MoPNG, outlined the Government of India’s vision for scaling up the GOBARdhan initiative. He highlighted the policy and market frameworks supporting CBG development, the role of state governments in enabling projects, and the need for coordinated action among government agencies, industry, ULBs, farmers and financial institutions. He also urged the Government of Maharashtra to align its state policy with the national framework, establish a dedicated land bank for CBG projects and undertake detailed feedstock assessments. These measures could help developers identify suitable project locations, secure raw materials and accelerate implementation.
Maharashtra Highlights Agricultural Waste and Clean Energy Potential
Rajesh Aggarwal, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, stressed the importance of energy consumption in measuring a society’s development and noted that per capita energy consumption would remain an important indicator of India’s progress. He highlighted the significant potential of agricultural waste to generate clean energy, improve waste management and create greater value for local communities. He also called for the efficient utilisation of municipal solid waste and agricultural residues to advance the GOBARdhan initiative and strengthen Maharashtra’s clean energy ecosystem. Yashika Mehta, Deputy Secretary (International Cooperation), MoPNG, highlighted the importance of CBG in India’s energy mix and shared the theme of India Energy Week (IEW) 2027, scheduled to be held in Kolkata.
BPCL Highlights Organic Manure and Sustainable Agriculture
BPCL’s Corporate Research and Development Centre (CRDC) team conducted a focused session on Enriched Fermented Organic Manure (EFOM). The session highlighted the potential of organic manure produced through the CBG value chain to support sustainable agriculture and improve soil health. By linking renewable energy production with the recovery of valuable nutrients, CBG plants can help reduce organic waste while supporting agricultural productivity. This approach reinforces the GOBARdhan initiative’s broader objective of creating environmental and economic value from waste.
Discussions Focus on CBG Policy and Project Implementation
The workshop also featured presentations on the GOBARdhan Scheme, the Model State CBG Policy and SASCI 2026–27. Representatives from the Centre for High Technology and the Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, respectively, presented key aspects of the scheme and the state’s policy and implementation requirements. The discussions highlighted the need for a supportive regulatory framework and coordinated implementation to scale up CBG projects. Participants also examined critical requirements, including assured offtake, stable pricing, streamlined approvals, reliable feedstock availability, access to finance and adequate supporting infrastructure.
Strengthening Maharashtra’s Compressed Biogas Ecosystem
Maharashtra has significant potential to develop a robust CBG ecosystem by utilising municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, cattle dung and press mud. However, unlocking this potential will require effective coordination among government departments, industry stakeholders, ULBs, farmers, cooperatives, financial institutions and technology providers.
BPCL reiterated its commitment to the CBG sector in its roles as a producer, offtaker and facilitator. The company emphasised the importance of converting organic waste into clean energy and valuable agricultural resources while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
As per the press release, the workshop reinforced the need to translate policy initiatives into viable projects through collaboration, appropriate infrastructure and effective implementation. By strengthening these enablers, Maharashtra can accelerate CBG adoption, advance the circular economy and contribute to India’s renewable energy and sustainable waste management goals.
