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Indian Express
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Nitin Gadkari says alternative fuels can put India's automobile industry in world's top spot
Written by Viraj Paranjpaye Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that India's automotive sector could become the world's No 1 in the next 5–6 years, provided it embraces alternative fuels and deeper integration with agriculture. Speaking at World Biofuel Day celebrations hosted by Praj Industries at JW Marriott, Pune, Gadkari set out a vision that tied ecology, environment, economy, and ethics — the '4 Es' — to the future of India's transport and energy policy. 'India's automotive industry is already a ₹12-lakh crore ecosystem, the largest contributor to Goods and Services Tax (GST), employing 4.5 crore people, and a major exporter. Today, we are third globally, ahead of Japan. But 40% of our air pollution comes from vehicles. If we develop clean, pollution-free alternatives to fossil fuels, we will lead the world,' Gadkari said. Calling himself 'an agriculturalist with six doctorates in the field,' Gadkari pressed for an overhaul of the rural economy. Agriculture currently contributes only 12–14 per cent to GDP but sustains 65 per cent of the population. 'If agriculture's GDP share rises to 25 per cent, on par with industry, through cost-effective alternative fuels, India will reverse its 85 per cent energy import dependence and redirect that money to our farmers,' he said. He cited the example of ethanol production from corn, which increased prices and benefited the farmers of Bihar. Gadkari called for diversification into ethanol from multiple grains, bamboo cultivation on wastelands, and hydrogen production. Bamboo, he said, could be a 'CO₂-free solution' while creating large-scale rural jobs. Other options on the table include methanol, isobutanol, and diesel substitutes from municipal waste — which, he noted, could also feed into highway construction. Gadkari rejected concerns over funding. 'There is no shortage of money,' he said, pointing to the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) bonds with AAA ratings and citing the Kumbh Mela as an example of infrastructure's transformative impact. 'The people from Andhra Pradesh and Kerala could attend in UP because of our highways,' he pointed out. Praj Industries' Executive Chairman Dr Pramod Chaudhari said, 'We want to bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and financiers to create sustainable, scalable solutions,' Chaudhari said. (Viraj Paranjpaye is an intern with The Indian Express)
The Print
12-08-2025
- Business
- The Print
Alternative fuels will propel India to top position in automobile sector: Gadkari
The Union minister said India is currently at the third position in the automobile sector, 'but with the way our research and innovation in alternative fuel is progressing, the day is not far when we will become number one'. 'In the coming days, due to ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, LNG, CNG, electric, and hydrogen, a new change in the world will be witnessed because of us,' Gadkari said while addressing a function to mark the 10th anniversary of World Biofuel Day in India, organised by Praj Industries. Pune, Aug 11 (PTI) Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday expressed confidence that India will soon achieve the number one position in the global automobile sector, driven by research and innovation in alternative fuels, including ethanol and hydrogen. The minister said achieving the top spot would have far-reaching socio-economic benefits. 'It will positively impact the economy, generate employment, and reduce pollution. At present, 85 per cent of our energy is imported, but I am confident that we will transform from being an importer of energy to an exporter,' he added. Gadkari said that India's current fossil fuel imports are worth Rs 22 lakh crore, which is not only economically challenging but also a major source of pollution. 'To address both these issues, we must focus on alternative fuels and biofuels,' he said. Gadkari said the condition of the agriculture sector is continuously deteriorating. In terms of GDP contribution, the industrial sector accounts for 22–24 per cent, the service sector 52 per cent, while agriculture contributes only 12–14 per cent. Yet, 60–65 per cent of our population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, he added. 'If we want to become Aatmanirbhar and the world's third-largest economy of USD 5 trillion, the share of agriculture in GDP must increase to 22 to 24 per cent. To realise this goal, our government has adopted an important policy of diversifying agriculture towards the energy and power sectors,' the Union minister added. He said a debate over food and fuel began with the start of ethanol production. 'Today, we have a surplus of sugar, rice, wheat, and corn, and are unable to provide remunerative prices for these crops. For instance, the MSP of corn was Rs 1,800 per quintal, but its market price has fallen to Rs 1,200 per quintal. After the ethanol policy, in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, corn prices have risen to Rs 2,600 to Rs 2,800 per quintal. Corn is now yielding good returns to farmers,' Gadkari said. He recalled the days when sugarcane cultivators had to wait two to three years for their payments. 'After the ethanol policy, they are getting their money on time now. In Western Maharashtra alone, nearly 70 per cent of the sugar industry would have faced closure if ethanol production had not started,' he added. PTI SPK NSK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Gadkari: Farmers will have to become fuel producers to reduce biofuel import
Pune: Stressing on the need to increase the biofuel production to make India self-sufficient, Union minister of road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said the country's farmers would have to produce it. He said, "Indian farmers will have to be encouraged to become fuel producers, along with food producers, to reduce the burden of biofuel import," he said, addressing the 10th anniversary of the World Biofuel Day event organised by Praj Industries in the city on Monday. Founder chairman of Praj Industries Pramod Chaudhary and managing director of Kirloskar Brothers Sanjay Kirloskar were present at the event. Lauding the efforts of the automobile industry in the country's development, Gadkari said surpassing Japan, India had become the third biggest automobile producer in the world and it gave maximum revenue to the country. But the minister reminded the audience that the industry was also contributing to air pollution. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "Nearly 40% of the air pollution is because of motor transport. We are still not being serious about its ill-effects. Along with economic development, we also need to balance our ecology, and for that, biofuel will play the most important role in the coming years," Gadkari said. The minister said India was still heavily dependent on the import of biofuel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Unforgettable Cars from the Past Undo "India has to import biofuel worth Rs22 lakh crore per annum. If we encourage the production of biofuel in the country, it will not only address the ecological issue but also reduce the economic burden on the country," he said. Gadkari stressed on the need to increase the agriculture sector's share in the Indian economy to improve the rural economy. He said, "While the country's economy is growing, the situation of the rural sector is deteriorating. Nearly 60 to 65% of the population is still dependent on agriculture, but its share in the Indian economy is merely 12 to 14%. If we want to achieve the goal of becoming the third largest economy, the agriculture sector will have to contribute 22 to 24%. The govt has adopted a policy of diversification of the agriculture sector to promote power and energy generation." He said, "Today we have ample production of agricultural produce, but farmers are not getting the desired remuneration. If we utilise the production for creating biofuel, it will help farmers to get more money and change the rural economy. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
11-08-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Alternative fuels will propel India to top position in automobile sector: Gadkari
Pune, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday expressed confidence that India will soon achieve the number one position in the global automobile sector, driven by research and innovation in alternative fuels, including ethanol and hydrogen. Alternative fuels will propel India to top position in automobile sector: Gadkari "In the coming days, due to ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, LNG, CNG, electric, and hydrogen, a new change in the world will be witnessed because of us," Gadkari said while addressing a function to mark the 10th anniversary of World Biofuel Day in India, organised by Praj Industries. The Union minister said India is currently at the third position in the automobile sector, "but with the way our research and innovation in alternative fuel is progressing, the day is not far when we will become number one". The minister said achieving the top spot would have far-reaching socio-economic benefits. "It will positively impact the economy, generate employment, and reduce pollution. At present, 85 per cent of our energy is imported, but I am confident that we will transform from being an importer of energy to an exporter," he added. Gadkari said that India's current fossil fuel imports are worth ₹22 lakh crore, which is not only economically challenging but also a major source of pollution. "To address both these issues, we must focus on alternative fuels and biofuels," he said. Gadkari said the condition of the agriculture sector is continuously deteriorating. In terms of GDP contribution, the industrial sector accounts for 22–24 per cent, the service sector 52 per cent, while agriculture contributes only 12–14 per cent. Yet, 60–65 per cent of our population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, he added. "If we want to become Aatmanirbhar and the world's third-largest economy of USD 5 trillion, the share of agriculture in GDP must increase to 22 to 24 per cent. To realise this goal, our government has adopted an important policy of diversifying agriculture towards the energy and power sectors," the Union minister added. He said a debate over food and fuel began with the start of ethanol production. "Today, we have a surplus of sugar, rice, wheat, and corn, and are unable to provide remunerative prices for these crops. For instance, the MSP of corn was ₹1,800 per quintal, but its market price has fallen to ₹1,200 per quintal. After the ethanol policy, in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, corn prices have risen to ₹2,600 to ₹2,800 per quintal. Corn is now yielding good returns to farmers," Gadkari said. He recalled the days when sugarcane cultivators had to wait two to three years for their payments. "After the ethanol policy, they are getting their money on time now. In Western Maharashtra alone, nearly 70 per cent of the sugar industry would have faced closure if ethanol production had not started," he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
09-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
State pushes jatropha, ethanol to boost green energy
1 2 Patna: With World Biofuel Day falling on Sunday, residents of the city may recall the late President A P J Abdul Kalam's convocation address at Patna University nearly two decades ago in which he urged the promotion of jatropha plantations and rural biofuel enterprises to meet Bihar's energy needs. Delivering his address at the city's S K Memorial Hall on Dec 30, 2005, Kalam recommended using "chour" land (wetlands) for jatropha cultivation. "Biofuel plants grown in 11 million hectares of wasteland can yield a revenue of Rs 20,000 crore a year and provide employment to over 12 million people, both for plantation and running the oil extraction units," he had said. Although Patna University scientists did not initiate a dedicated project to boost the agricultural production of this biofuel plant in the state, agricultural experts identified 13 districts as suitable for cultivation. Farmers in at least Purnia and Kaimur districts are already growing jatropha commercially, according to Patna University botany department head Birendra Prasad. Prasad added that jatropha, known in Hindi as 'Ratan jot', is among the best sources for biodiesel production. "Besides jatropha, other plants like maize and sugar cane are also being used for the production of ethanol. Growing such petro plants on a larger scale can boost the production of biofuels," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo Bihar currently operates 12 ethanol factories, producing a combined 5.65 billion litres, with 60% of output exported to southern states. By 2026, nine new ethanol plants are expected to be established in districts including Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Kaimur, Muzaffarpur, Barh, Jamui, Vaishali and Buxar, according to the state industries department. Recently, the state govt introduced the Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion (Amendment) Policy, 2025, aimed at increasing production of ethanol and compressed bio-gas (CBG) from organic waste materials such as agricultural residue and animal dung. The policy targets pollution reduction and a cleaner environment. Fittingly, the theme for this year's World Biofuel Day is "Biofuels: a sustainable pathway to net zero. " Environmentalist Mehta Nagendra Singh said the policy aligns with Bihar's goal of expanding renewable energy use and contributing to India's net-zero emissions targets. "The policy provides a framework to develop a sustainable biofuel sector in Bihar, attracting investment, creating economic opportunities, and promoting a greener environment," he said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
