Alternative fuels key to making India self-reliant: Nitin Gadkari
Last Updated: Nov 30, 2024, 12:00:00 AM IST
Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasizes the importance of switching to biofuels and electric vehicles for sustainable development. India's transport sector heavily contributes to air pollution, and significant fossil fuels are imported annually. Initiatives like bio-CNG projects and municipal waste-to-bio-CNG projects are promoting a green economy, creating jobs, boosting exports, and making India self-reliant.
Mumbai: Transitioning to alternatives like biofuels and electric, among others, is critical for pursuing sustainable development and making India self-reliant said minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari . India's transport sector accounts for 40% of air pollution and fossil fuel worth ₹22 lakh crore is imported every year, Gadkari said Wednesday in his address at the 'Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024'. The event honoured winners across over 20 categories in the electric mobility and sustainability sectors.
"India is the fastest-growing economy in the world and our mission is to make India Aatmanirbhar Bharat - and pursue sustainable development," Gadkari added.
CNG-powered vehicles are gaining popularity in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, and over 400 bio-CNG projects underway, the minister noted, adding that he has supported the transition to electric and biofuels for tractors.
Initiatives like the municipal waste-to-bio-CNG projects in Nagpur show the potential of a green economy to drive sustainability, create jobs, boost exports, and make India self-reliant, he said.
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Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says petrol and diesel rates in India may ease once recently bought cheaper crude reaches refiners, after global oil prices cooled and Brent slipped below $80 a barrel. The signal matters because India imports most of its crude, so any sustained fall can filter through to motorists, freight users and inflation. But the relief is unlikely to be immediate, because fuel prices depend on inventory cycles, logistics and how quickly oil companies pass on lower input costs.
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