THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said the State government is taking initiatives to bring in various green projects in Goa under the concept of ‘Greener Goa, Stronger Goa and Smarter Goa’.
“One of them is an eco-friendly and pollution-free ethanol production plant which is being set up at in Navelim village in Bicholim taluka. This project will support the agricultural sector in the village, will generate employment opportunities to locals and will also provide feed to the cattle,” said Sawant, while appealing to locals to cooperate in the setting up of this project at Navelim.
Sawant was speaking after laying the foundation stone for a 300 KLPD Grain-Based Ethanol Plant of Centreal Biofuels Limited at Navelim Industrial Area in Bicholim. Navelim Sarpanch Rohidas Kansekal, Deputy Sarpanch Kalpana Gavas, Panchayat Member Gopal Surlkar and Centreal Biofuels Limited Managing Director Joby George were among those present on the occasion.
“Industries earlier set up in Navelim Industrial area had been responsible for causing pollution and around 99 percent of their workers in them are Non-Goans. Centreal Biofuels Limited will be pollution-free, and will employ 90 percent of workers from Goa. This company will produce ethanol from sugarcane and other crops,” said Sawant.
Centreal Biofuels Limited Managing Director Joby George said his company will produce 300 KLPD of grain-based ethanol per day and aims to utilise 80 percent of its capacity.
“The ethanol produced will be supplied to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) as part of the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP) launched by the Government of India to promote clean fuels and reduce dependence on fossil fuels,” said George.
“The project will create significant direct and indirect employment opportunities for local residents. Grains will be purchased directly from local farmers, which will increase income of farmers and contribute to the rural economy. By-products such as distiller's grains will be used as nutritious animal feed.”
