Ludhiana: The ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders has underlined the urgent need to shift to alternative and sustainable energy sources, with officials pointing out that delays in renewable energy projects are undermining long-term energy security in the district.According to officials, establishment of 57 compressed biogas (CBG) plants was planned in Ludhiana district by the end of next year. However, work has commenced on only five projects, primarily due to resistance from local residents over perceived environmental concerns.Gurinder Singh, district manager, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), said the current LPG crisis has exposed lack of awareness among people regarding renewable energy solutions. He said some residents were questioning whether biogas could be filled into LPG cylinders, highlighting limited understanding of alternative fuels. “This only shows how important these projects are,” he said.Singh said CBG is a valuable fuel that can be used to run a wide range of vehicles, from trucks to tractors. He added that opposition to the projects is largely driven by misinformation. “People have been protesting citing environmental concerns, whereas these plants actually help reduce pollution by using paddy straw and cattle dung waste,” he said.Highlighting the risks associated with overdependence on conventional fuels, Singh said any disruption in LPG or fossil fuel supply could have serious consequences. He stressed that CBG plants can play a significant role in making the region more self-reliant in energy.The projects, part of a broader waste-to-energy initiative, were originally scheduled for completion by 2022, but faced repeated delays due to prolonged protests. At present, CBG plants are being set up in villages such as Akhara, Mushkabad, Baggad Kalan and Payal, apart from Ghungarli Rajputtan, where one unit has reportedly become operational.PEDA officials said the 57 CBG projects, with a combined capacity of around 822.68 tonnes per day, are based primarily on paddy straw and other agricultural residues. Due to resistance, the commissioning deadline has been pushed back to 2027, with projects currently at different stages of execution.Once operational, these plants are expected to consume nearly 2.8 million tonnes of paddy straw annually, significantly reducing crop residue burning, a major contributor to air pollution in Punjab.Officials said despite policy backing and financial incentives from both the Centre and the state, public opposition remains a major hurdle. They added that increasing awareness is crucial to accelerating the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
