New Delhi, 8 May (IANS). Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday advocated the nationwide biofuel revolution. Union Minister Gadkari described it as a ‘one -time opportunity in the century’ to change India’s rural economy, reduce the large -scale imports of fossil fuel and deal with air pollution.
Speaking at the ‘International Summit Expo on Bio gaineri value chain’, the Union Minister said that now the time has come for agricultural waste, crop residues, bamboo and biomass to be converted into green fuel and value-aided products.
Union Minister Gadkari highlighted the immediate need to cut India’s fossil fuel import bill worth Rs 22 lakh crore, burning crop wastes and reduce pollution from vehicles emissions.
Union Minister Gadkari said, “India will have to become energy exporter from energy importer, this goal can be achieved through Sustainable Bio Energy Initiative.”
The Union Minister praised Brazil for success in the field of aviation biofuel and said that India has also started implementing similar fuel options at its airports.
“Sustainable aviation fuel is a big market for the future,” he said.
He stressed the need for quality research and financially viable technology.
On the issue of burning straw in North India, Union Minister Gadkari said that it should be seen not as a problem but as an opportunity.
He said, “Rice straw received from Punjab and Haryana can be converted into bio-CNG, ethanol, bio-bitten and even aviation fuel.”
He described the Indian Oil’s Manpur project as a successful example, which transforms two million tonnes of crop waste into a high -value fuel every year.
He also suggested to convert India’s huge barren land, which is unproductive 70 percent, into bamboo orchards for energy production.
Union Minister Gadkari said that NTPC already agrees to buy bamboo as white coal for thermal power plant, which will provide a new source of income for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
“Agriculture should be diverse towards energy and power sector,” he said.
He said that due to the demand for ethanol, high crop prices such as corn prices increase from Rs 1,200 per quintal to Rs 2,600 per quintal, there is evidence that agricultural income can increase from biofuels.
-IANS
SKT/ABM