Oil India on 16 December, 2024 signed an MoU with Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) to set up a compressed biogas (CBG) plant capable of processing 200 tpd of segregated municipal solid waste in the state capital. The plant with 200 tpd capacity will initially produce 10 to 15 tpd biomethane gas. Its capacity can also be scaled up to 300 tpd in the future. Around Rs 150 crore will be invested for the project.

The central PSU will also support the state government in setting up of CBG plants in seven more places across Odisha. Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra said, “The gas generated from the plant can be used as fuel for transportation as well as in other sectors. The compost generated in the process can also be used in farming." A two-year deadline has been set for commissioning of the plant, but he has urged authorities to expedite the project work to ensure it is completed ahead of its scheduled timeline.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had stressed setting up of more such projects in the state and assured of all possible support in this regard, Mahapatra said. “While eight acre land has already been provided for the project in the city, Oil India will also help the state government in setting up similar plants in six to seven more places including Puri, Cuttack, Sambalpur, Rourkela, Sonepur and Berhampur. The company has already taken steps in this regard and preparation of detailed project report (DPR) is in progress."

Municipal commissioner Rajesh Pravakar Patil said Oil India will commission the plant and look into its operational management.