PRESS RELEASE (ENGLISH)
*IIT Kharagpur and Oil India Limited Sign MoU at India Energy Week 2026 to Establish a Pioneering Waste-to-Wealth Model*
Kharagpur – Goa, India | February 4, 2026 – In a landmark step towards sustainable urban development and clean energy transition, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) and Oil India Limited (OIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at India Energy Week 2026 to establish a Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant at the IIT Kharagpur campus.
The MoU was signed by Prof. Brajesh Dubey, Dean, Campus & Community Development, IIT Kharagpur, and Shri Ranjan Goswami, Executive Director (Business Development), Oil India Limited, in the presence of senior dignitaries from OIL and its green energy arm, OIL Green Energy Limited (OGEL). The signing ceremony took place at the prestigious energy forum in Goa.
The initiative aims to transform IIT Kharagpur into a national benchmark for circular economy and waste-to-wealth generation, integrating scientific research with on-ground implementation.
A Dual-Pronged Approach for Sustainable Impact
1) Environmental and Urban Utility: – The proposed CBG facility will process biodegradable waste to produce clean compressed biogas for energy applications and nutrient-rich organic manure for agricultural use. The project directly addresses critical urban challenges related to waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil health.
2) Academic, Research, and Innovation Ecosystem: – Envisioned as a “living laboratory,” the project will foster Research, Innovation, Skilling, and Entrepreneurship (RISE). Key focus areas include advanced waste segregation technologies, value recovery from non-biodegradable waste streams, process optimisation, and the development of scalable circular-economy business models.
Aligned with India’s national energy transition goals and global net-zero commitments, this collaboration reflects the shared vision of Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, and Dr. Ranjith Rath, Chairman & Managing Director, Oil India Limited.
The partnership underscores the power of industry–academia collaboration in delivering scalable, sustainable, and replicable solutions for urban India and the Global South.
*QUOTE BY Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur*
This partnership with Oil India Limited goes far beyond the establishment of a Compressed Biogas plant. It represents the creation of a holistic and scalable ecosystem where cutting-edge research, sustainability, and real-world implementation converge. Our objective is to develop a replicable waste-to-wealth model that can be adopted by urban townships across India and the Global South, transforming waste from an environmental challenge into a source of clean energy, economic value, and innovation.
Thanks & Regards
Pratik Dama
जनसंपर्क अधिकारी
Public Relations Officer
भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान खड़गपुर
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
खड़गपुर – 721 302, भारत
Kharagpur – 721 302, India
Mob – 9975654202
