CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated nation’s first ethanol plant in Purnia, Bihar

Sakshi Education

Bihar’s Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has inaugurated India’s first ethanol plant in Purnia district, Bihar. The plant has been set up by Eastern India Biofuels Private Limited at a cost of Rs 105 crores. Bihar came up with an ethanol production promotion policy in the first half of 2021. It is the country’s first grain-based ethanol plant.
The plant, situated at GaneshpurParora, about 12 km from Purnia town, is spread over 15 acres of land.
Purnia, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj districts, known as the Seemanchal region, account for 80% of the total maize produced in Bihar and together produce 30-35 lakh metric tonnes (MTs) from April to August.
Bihar came up with an ethanol production promotion policy in the first half of 2021.
In Bihar, 17 ethanol production plants are being set up, which is likely to produce 35 crorelitres of fuel every year by using sugarcane, molasses, maize and broken rice.
The ethanol manufactured will be supplied to oil marketing companies for blending into petrol and diesel.
Ethanol plants are being set up in Muzaffarpur, Bhojpur, Nalanda, Buxar, Madhubani, Begusarai, Gopalganj, East Champaran, Bhagalpur, besides Purnia.