Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari pitches for faster adoption of alternative fuels

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Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that reducing the import and usage of petroleum products will address many concerns in India by accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels for automobiles. He claimed that a segment of individuals who have profited handsomely from crude oil sales supply “money” for terrorism.

The minister stated that he has kept his word to KS Sudarshan, the then RSS Sarsanghachalak, that he will continue the effort to reduce imports and raise exports, and that he has done so. “This is a nationalist and Swadeshi approach.” What are the benefits of importing? Terrorists have been funded by those who have made a fortune selling fuel and gasoline. We are the world’s third-largest importer of gasoline and diesel. We would find solutions to many of our problems if we stop importing these,” Gadkari said at a business meeting organised by the International Vaish Federation in Delhi.

According to Gadkari, India presently spends roughly Rs 8 lakh crore on diesel and petrol imports, a figure that could rise to Rs 25 lakh crore in the next five years if current trends continue. He claimed that diesel is the worst fuel for the environment, and he urged investors to invest in the production of ethanol and other cleaner, indigenous fuels to lessen reliance on crude oil imports.

In the next 6-8 months, Gadkari added, his government will release a policy on flex-fuel engines for petrol automobiles. He claims that all automobile and two-wheeler manufacturers will be forced to use flex engines, and that the cost will not rise significantly.

Previously, the government considered importing flex fuel engines from Brazil, which are compatible with BS-IV automobiles, after getting Supreme Court approval. Appeals for the registration of BS-IV compliant automobiles were denied by the Supreme Court.