Bioethanol can change the face of rural economy and rural India, says Gadkari at ET GBS 2022
SOURCE: MediawireLast Updated: Mar 22, 2022, 12:56 PM ISTThe depletion of natural resources and the consequent pollution and global warming due to fuel usage has kept us perturbed for decades together. And the only solution lies in introducing renewable and eco-friendly resources like biofuels, for running automobiles and machinery.
On the 2nd day of ET GBS 2022, Bodhisattva Ganguly, Executive Editor, The Economic Times spoke to Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, on current government projects and initiatives around alternative fuel, bioethanol and its development.
In his keynote address, Gadkari lifted the veil over the progress of much-talked flexi engines, which he explained are electric hybrid engines and will run on 100% ethanol, 40% on electricity and even entirely on petrol in an emergency. He said that the major automobile companies are already developing the flexi engines, but it would take 6 months due to the compliance to Euro VI engines.
Bioethanol production is not a new endeavour for India though. However, Gadkari equates bioethanol production with the diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sector, empowerment of farmers and rapid employment in rural India. of 400 crore litres of bioethanol is set to increase to 4,000 litres after the development of flexi engines. Gadkari sees bioethanol prepared from molasses, sugarcane juice, rice and corn as a way cheaper and more sustainable substitute.
Talking about other initiatives in this direction, Gadkari brought to the fore interesting facts about the production of bio-LNG and bio CNG. He explained that 5 tonnes of rice straw which when burnt during winters causes hazardous levels of pollution can also yield 1 tonne of bio-LNG. Among biofuels, green hydrogen made from sewage water, solid waste management and used for various industries is also being produced. India's first green hydrogen car of Toyota is being launched on 18th March.