Indian Railways may build first biodiesel plant in Karnataka state

In India, the Business Standard is reporting that the one of the 1.93 Mgy biodiesel facilities that will be established by Indian Railways will be located in Yelahanka, in Karnataka state. The report suggested that the plant will be in operation by mid 2010, and will enable Indian Railways to convert trains to biodiesel, as well as the conversion of 18000 buses belonging to Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation to a biodiesel blend.

Indian Railways is, according to the report, the largest consumer of diesel fuel in the world — although other reports have cited the US military as the largest customer. Jatropha is the primary feedstock.

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