GUWAHATI: Oil India Limited (OIL) and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) are launching an ambitious initiative to set up 8 to 10 compressed bio-gas (CBG) plants across various districts in Assam and other Northeast states.
This green project aims to transform waste into wealth while tackling the growing waste management issues in the region’s urban areas.
Dr. Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director of OIL and Chairman of NRL, announced the initiative while addressing a Technical Symposium on ‘Creating Wealth from Waste: Role of Start-ups and New Enterprises’ organized by the Pollution Control Board of Assam in Guwahati. He emphasized that the project includes collaboration with urban local bodies for municipal solid waste collection.
Dr Rath also highlighted the development of OIL Township in Duliajan into a SMART city, focusing on modern amenities such as solid waste disposal and treatment, improved drainage systems, and waste segregation at the source.
Additionally, OIL is actively involved in managing the legacy waste in Tinsukia district of Assam.
NRL’s Managing Director, Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, underscored the importance of creating a supportive ecosystem where various industries collaborate with the Pollution Control Board of Assam to address environmental challenges.
He called on young entrepreneurs to engage in start-up ventures that address specific environmental issues, as current revenue models are unsustainable.
Principal Secretary to the Government of Assam, Dr B Kalyan Chakravarthy, praised the efforts of OIL and NRL in waste-to-wealth management. He highlighted the potential for start-ups to play a significant role in this sector.
Dr. Arup Kumar Misra, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board of Assam, set the stage for the symposium by stressing the need for collaboration among stakeholders for effective waste management.
He encouraged young entrepreneurs to innovate and create wealth from waste, drawing inspiration from examples both nationally and globally.