Bathinda, Sept. 28 -- Encouraged by an organised push by the Centre and the state government to contain the environmentally hazardous annual farm practice of burning paddy stubble, the number of units converting biomass into pellets for co-firing by various industries is expected to double in the coming months.

According to Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) officials, 72 new entrepreneurs have registered with the state government to establish small-scale pelletisation units, compared to the existing 74 such units.

The upcoming units will be able to process 22 lakh tonnes of paddy residue. PPCB authorities said the existing 74 operational units have a capacity to process 19 lakh tonnes.

Data shows that Bathinda and adjoining distric...