Aafrin Kidwai 
Multilateral lending agency Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 2.5 million (about Rs 18 crore) technical assistance (TA) to support advanced biofuel development in India.
ADB Finance Specialist for South Asia Jongmi Son said the Technical Assistance will take a cross-sector approach to tackle various thematic issues, such as energy security, transport mobility, agribusiness, financial stability, air and water pollution, waste disposal, public health, climate change, and the urban-rural divide.
As per the statement, holistic studies will be conducted in aid of establishing technical designs, effective business models, catalytic financing schemes, regulatory frameworks, and awareness programs.
To boost advanced biofuel investments, ADB will collaborate with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Oil Industry Development Board, and public financial institutions, such as the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
ADB will also work with public oil companies, including the Indian Oil Corporation Limited and the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, it added.
In other news from the ADB, the Manila-based institution has released a compendium of 18 projects that demonstrate the use of waste-to-energy technologies in the municipal, agricultural, and industrial sectors in India and other countries. Some of the Indian developers whose projects are included in the compendium are: Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies, Saahas Zero Waste and Carbon Masters India Pvt. Ltd.
