The ambitious Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) project to set up India’s first second-generation (2G) bio-refinery in Naseebpura village, Bathinda, designed to utilize paddy straw for ethanol production, has missed two commissioning deadlines. Originally slated for March-end, then June 1, the ₹1,400 crore facility remains non-operational.
Situated about 20 km from Bathinda district headquarters, this refinery is central to addressing Punjab’s persistent paddy stubble burning issue, which exacerbates air pollution annually in October-November. The bio-refinery aims to produce 100 kilolitres (KL) of ethanol daily from 570 metric tonnes of paddy straw, equating to two lakh tonnes annually at full capacity.
Despite sourcing approximately one lakh tonnes of paddy stubble in 2023, HPCL has yet to commence operations. Bathinda agriculture officer Baljinder Singh, coordinating support for the project, reported that HPCL has not disclosed reasons for the delay, though the agriculture department stands ready to assist in stubble sourcing.
HPCL officials have refrained from public comments, and Executive Director (Communications) Rajeev Goel did not respond to inquiries. However, insiders suggest the plant is still in testing and might need an additional 2-3 months to become operational. Successful implementation could set a precedent for other states and agencies to convert biomass waste into valuable resources for the petroleum sector.
The bio-refinery, once operational, will handle paddy residue from about 40,000 hectares in Bathinda, with plans to double its biomass stockpile for uninterrupted operation.
