Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced that India has the potential to replace up to 50% of its fossil fuel consumption with bioenergy within the next five years. Speaking at the Bhoomipujan ceremony of the Indian School for Design of Automobiles, Gadkari emphasized the urgent need to shift towards clean energy sources to reduce air pollution and dependence on costly fuel imports. The transport sector, which contributes to 40% of India’s air pollution, is a major area of focus for this transition.
Gadkari highlighted the significant progress India has made in adopting alternative fuels, such as ethanol, biodiesel, methanol, CNG, bio-LNG, electric power, and hydrogen. Ethanol is already being blended with petrol at up to 20%, with further expansion expected. The Minister emphasized the importance of innovation in the auto sector, which he believes holds immense potential for growth and development.
The auto sector is a significant contributor to India’s economy, generating 4.5 crore jobs and achieving Rs 3 lakh crore in exports. Companies like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero now export nearly 50% of their output, demonstrating the sector’s global competitiveness. Gadkari called on the automobile industry to ramp up research and development in alternative fuels to reduce pollution and dependence on costly fuel imports.
The Minister noted that India spends around Rs 22 lakh crore annually on fossil fuel imports, which is unsustainable. By shifting towards bioenergy, India can reduce its reliance on imported fuels and decrease air pollution. Gadkari expressed optimism about the future of the auto sector, saying that it is time for innovation and the industry must take the lead. With the right focus and investment, India can achieve its goal of replacing 50% of its fossil fuel consumption with bioenergy within the next five years. This transition would not only benefit the environment but also the economy, by reducing fuel imports and promoting domestic industries.