Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the importance of alternate biofuels for diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector. Inaugurating the country’s first LNG Facility plant at Nagpur today he said in our economy we are spending 8 lakh crores for the import of petrol diesel and petroleum products which is a big challenge. The Minister said we have designed a policy that encourages the development of imports to substitute cost-effective pollution-free and indigenous ethanol,  bio CNG, LNG and hydrogen fuels. He said the ministry is constantly working on different alternative fuels. He said we have to use the surplus in rice, corn and sugar to prevent it from going to waste.

Diversification of agriculture is required in the energy sector and experiments have been carried out to produce bioethanol from additional agricultural products. He succeeded. Large scale production of bioethanol is underway in East Vidarbha, which is known for paddy cultivation. Biomass is being used to make ethanol and CNG, from which experiments are being made to make LNG, said Nitin Gadkari.

Converting vehicles like trucks to LNG at a one-time cost of Rs 10 lakh will enable transporters to save around Rs 11 lakh annually on petrol and diesel through LNG. Gadkari also mentioned that the maintenance cost of LNG is also low.

Talking about flex engines Shri Gadkari said the decision will be taken in three months making it mandatory for automobile manufacturers particularly four-wheelers and two-wheelers make flex engines. He said several countries like the USA, Canada and Brazil already have them. He said the cost of the vehicle remains the same whether it is petrol or a Flex engine.