Union Minister urges States to promote use of ethanol

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari promotes ethanol as alternative fuel source to save environment and support farmers, launching roadworks in Belagavi.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has urged State governments to promote the production and use of ethanol as an alternative fuel source as it would not only help save the environment, but also support farmers.

At a rally where he launched several roadworks, the Union Minister said India would not only use ethanol for its vehicles, but also become a global export powerhouse of ethanol. “In the near future, we will see vehicles that are run by ethanol and methanol on our roads. It will help reduce environment pollution and increase the economic well being of farmers,” he said.

“There are many opportunities for ethanol production and consumption in sugarcane producing areas like Bealgavi. Farmers should not see themselves only as suppliers of raw material to sugar industries, but also as energy producers as these factories will be able to produce ethanol and earn profits,” Mr. Gadkari said.

“On the one hand, area under sugarcane crop has increased in Belagavi and other districts. On the other, the ethanol economy has grown exponentially. We should make use of this opportunity,” he said. He said that the Union government was planning to permit a higher number of ethanol based fuel pumps to come up on roads and highways.

Mr. Gadkari described highways as the pathways for the country’s development. “Development of green corridor highways across the country is the priority of the central government. Highway works between the major cities of the country are being taken up. This will reduce travel time and ensure and smooth and safe travel,” he said.

He said that his ambition was to connect the highway network from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and see that the overall travel time will be reduced and an enabling environment will be provided for development.