Context: The Adarsh Gaushala, Gwalior MP has achieved a landmark feat with the establishment of India’s first modern, self-sufficient gaushala that houses a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant. 

About Compressed Biogas (CBG)

• It is a renewable gaseous fuel produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic matter like agricultural residues, animal dung, food waste, and municipal solid waste.

• Production: It requires purification of biogas (to remove impurities like carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and moisture). 

• This refined and compressed gas, containing over 90% methane, becomes CBG, boasting properties similar to conventional compressed natural gas (CNG).

Properties

• Calorific value & properties similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

• Serves as a green, renewable fuel.

• Applications: It can replace CNG in automotive, industrial, & commercial sectors.

About Gwalior’s Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant

• Capacity: It can process 100 tons of cattle dung daily to produce 2-3 tons of Bio-CNG. 10-15 tons of bio-manure for organic farming.

• It incorporates windrow composting for additional organic waste processing.

• Windrow Composting: It is a method of composting that involves piling organic waste into long rows, called windrows, and turning them regularly to improve the compost.

Government Initiatives for Compressed Biogas (CBG) 

• Phased Mandatory Blending of CBG: It was announced in 2024 Interim Budget → CBG with CNG (transportation) and PNG (domestic use)→ Transition to a green gas-based economy & Address environmental degradation and promote cleaner energy sources.

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018: It emphasises on promotion of advanced Biofuels including CBG. 

• Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) Scheme: It aims  to convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to Bio-CNG (CBG) and compost. 

• Central Financial Assistance for Bio-CNG: Notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Financial assistance under the program is available for Biogas generation, Bio CNG generation, Power generation from MSW, Biomass Gasifier etc.

• SATAT Initiative: It promotes entrepreneurs to set up Compressed Biogas plants, produce and supply CBG to Oil Marketing Companies for sale as automotive & industrial fuels.

• RBI priority sector lending: It includes loans (up to ?50 crore) for start-ups setting up CBG plants.

• IREDA Business Plan (2022–2026): It includes financial assistance for CBG in its disbursement targets.