NEW DELHI, October 5 — The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) convened a high-level review of the GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) umbrella initiative and the SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) scheme, tracking the scale-up of commercial Compressed Biogas (CBG) installations across agrarian corridors.
According to data presented during the review, more than 500 commercial and cooperative CBG production plants are now operational nationwide, with over 400 additional facilities under advanced construction. Sector regulators evaluated compliance with the phased CBG blending obligation (CBO), which mandates City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities to blend 2.5% CBG into domestic piped natural gas (PNG) and transport CNG networks during FY 2026–27, scaling progressively to 5% by FY 2028–29.
Senior energy officials highlighted that converting agricultural residues—principally paddy straw and sugarcane press mud—into purified biomethane significantly curbs seasonal stubble burning while generating high-grade Fermented Organic Manure (FOM) to restore soil organic carbon without synthetic chemical fertilizers.
Bio-energy policies, the SATAT framework, circular bio-economy investments, and renewable natural gas standards are central themes in UPSC GS Paper III (Energy & Environment). Candidates should note that the SATAT initiative was launched in October 2018 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to establish an indigenous ecosystem for producing CBG as an alternative, green automotive and industrial fuel.