Stories
Gadkari: Ethanol Boosts Farmer Income, Cuts Fuel Imports; Promotes Clean Transport
- •Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted ethanol's role in increasing farmers' income and reducing India's dependence on petroleum imports, advocating for wider adoption of alternative fuels and cleaner public transport.
- •Gadkari noted that ethanol production has already benefited farmers, citing a significant increase in maize prices from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,600 per quintal.
- •He announced the development of flex-fuel engines capable of running on 100% ethanol and the introduction of vehicles using this technology, emphasizing self-reliance and independence.
- •India imports petroleum worth Rs 22 lakh crore, prompting Gadkari to stress the need to reduce this reliance through ethanol, electricity, hydrogen, and other alternative energy sources, including electric tractors and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- •Gadkari also unveiled Madhya Pradesh's new public bus service, aiming to provide safer, more affordable, and accountable transport, especially for the poor, with a vision for AC buses at 30% lower fares than diesel buses.
Key Questions Answered
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that ethanol production helps raise farmers' income by transforming them from food providers into energy providers, citing how maize prices increased from around Rs 1,200 per quintal to Rs 2,600 per quintal after ethanol production began. Additionally, converting waste into fuel offers farmers opportunities to earn extra income.
The Centre's PM e-Bus Sewa scheme envisages the deployment of 10,000 buses with an outlay of Rs 57,000 crore and is expected to generate between 45 lakh and 55 lakh jobs. It aims to expand public transport capacity while making services more accessible and sustainable.
Amendments to motor vehicle rules in 2019 enabled private vehicle owners to use their vehicles as taxis, creating millions of employment opportunities. Gadkari noted that this measure has already generated four crore jobs across cars, autorickshaws, and two-wheelers, with the potential to reach 12 crore jobs if implemented nationwide.
