Catalyzing a Rs. 2 Lakh Cr. Ethanol Economy: Shri Nitin Gadkari’s Vision Unveiled

On this illustrious Thursday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, eloquently articulated India’s unwavering commitment to green initiatives within the construction sector, in alignment with the visionary goal set forth by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to attain carbon neutrality by the year 2070.

With the grandeur of New Delhi as his backdrop, Minister Gadkari expounded upon the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Modi in steering the nation towards a pristine and litter-free environment. He shared a mosaic of transformative endeavors currently underway during the ongoing Swachta hi Seva fortnight. These encompass sweeping cleanliness campaigns spanning national highways, wayside amenities, Dhabas, and toll plazas, meticulously orchestrated across a staggering 13,000 locations. Remarkably, substantial progress has already been achieved, with nearly 7,000 locations witnessing the successful culmination of these efforts.

Amidst the discourse, Shri Gadkari cast light upon one of the most pressing environmental quandaries haunting urban landscapes nationwide: the incessant generation of solid waste. An astonishing 10,000 hectares of land stand ensnared in the clutches of refuse heaps. Yet, the Ministry is unwavering in its resolve, charting innovative pathways to harness this urban solid waste for the cause of highway construction. In this endeavor, the minister championed the idea that wealth can be forged from waste, propelled by technology and visionary leadership.

Read: All Abot Ethanol Blending

In his impassioned address, Shri Gadkari unveiled his fervent advocacy for an Ethanol Economy, firmly advocating for the widespread adoption of ethanol to catalyze a staggering 6% growth in agriculture. His audacious vision sets forth an ambitious goal of nurturing an Ethanol Economy worth Rs. 2 Lakh Crore. The pièce de résistance of this vision was the launch of the World’s First BS-6 Compliant Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Vehicle in Delhi, heralding the dawn of engines powered by 100% ethanol. The resultant savings, poised to exceed Rs. 1 Lakh Crore for the Indian economy, were nothing short of revolutionary. Shri Gadkari also lauded the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) Panipat plant, which ingeniously transforms agricultural waste, including rice straw, into ethanol and biobitumen.

The minister’s discourse further delved into the marvels of bio-ethanol production technologies, where a mere ton of rice yields approximately 400 to 450 liters of ethanol, a giant stride towards sustainability and energy self-sufficiency.

In his visionary projection, Shri Gadkari foresaw a future mandate, set for 2025, necessitating the use of 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel, with a progressive plan to escalate this blending to 5% within India. He proudly announced Indian Oil’s establishment of a plant in Panipat, designed to produce a remarkable 87,000 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Shri Gadkari directed our attention to India’s colossal telecom sector, characterized by roughly 6 lakh mobile towers traditionally reliant on diesel generator sets, each guzzling a staggering 8,000 liters of diesel annually. This equates to an astronomical annual expenditure of Rs. 25,000 crore. However, the Minister’s unwavering commitment to sustainability propels the integration of ethanol as a fuel for these generators, offering a green and sustainable alternative to diesel. The market has already birthed a Generator Set operating exclusively on 100% ethanol, and Shri Gadkari is resolutely steering the GenSet industry towards adopting this sustainable ethos.

In the culminating crescendo of his address, Shri Gadkari proclaimed that hydrogen, the fuel of the future, held the key to India’s ascent as a net exporter of energy. With unwavering determination and unyielding resolve, the Union Minister set forth an inspiring vision for India’s green transformation, an audacious odyssey towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable tomorrow.

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