Implementation and Monitoring of the SATAT Scheme

Raipur, Chhattisgarh state held a meeting of the committee formed for the implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Alternative Transport (SATAT) scheme for affordable transport, chaired by the Chief Secretary of the Chief Minister, Mr. Subodh Singh, at the Ministry Mahandhi Building. The meeting discussed extensively the use of compressed biogas (CBG) produced from waste and biogas as fuel. Officials said that land is being identified in districts for CBG plants and all necessary work is being done to set up the plants. The Chhattisgarh CBG Policy 2026 is being implemented, and the roles and responsibilities of various state departments have been defined. The meeting also discussed the establishment of CBG plants and encouraging entrepreneurs and investors to invest. Officials stated that the SATAT scheme for affordable transport is an initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, and that the scheme is implemented across the country, including Chhattisgarh. Under the scheme, oil marketing companies such as OMCs and ONGCs, Indian Oil, BPCL, and PCL have contracts to purchase the CBG produced in these plants. Installing CBG plants can reduce air pollution caused by the burning of crop residues, paddy straw, and waste. Farmers will receive additional income for their agricultural residues and animal waste, and employment opportunities in rural areas will be increased. The progress of CBG plant installations in various municipal corporations and corporations of the state was also reviewed. It was reported that new efforts are being made in Chhattisgarh for sustainable energy production and better waste management in urban bodies under the scheme. Actions have started to set up CBG plants in Bhilai, Raipur, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Dhamtari, Korba, Ambikapur, and Raigarh urban bodies. The meeting was attended by officials including the Transport Department Secretary Mr. S. Prakash, Energy Department Secretary Mr. Saransh Mittar, Panchayat and Rural Development Department Secretary Mr. Bhim Singh, and officials from Urban Administration and Development, Livestock Development, Environment Protection Board, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Food and Civil Supply, Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority, State Renewable Energy Development Authority, CSIDC, and Oil Marketing Company.