Pune, Aug 11 (PTI) Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday expressed confidence that India will soon achieve the number one position in the global automobile sector, driven by research and innovation in alternative fuels, including ethanol and hydrogen.
“In the coming days, due to ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel, LNG, CNG, electric, and hydrogen, a new change in the world will be witnessed because of us,” Gadkari said while addressing a function to mark the 10th anniversary of World Biofuel Day in India, organised by Praj Industries.
The Union minister said India is currently at the third position in the automobile sector, “but with the way our research and innovation in alternative fuel is progressing, the day is not far when we will become number one”.
The minister said achieving the top spot would have far-reaching socio-economic benefits.
“It will positively impact the economy, generate employment, and reduce pollution. At present, 85 per cent of our energy is imported, but I am confident that we will transform from being an importer of energy to an exporter,” he added.
Gadkari said that India’s current fossil fuel imports are worth Rs 22 lakh crore, which is not only economically challenging but also a major source of pollution.
“To address both these issues, we must focus on alternative fuels and biofuels,” he said.
Gadkari said the condition of the agriculture sector is continuously deteriorating. In terms of GDP contribution, the industrial sector accounts for 22–24 per cent, the service sector 52 per cent, while agriculture contributes only 12–14 per cent.
Yet, 60–65 per cent of our population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, he added.
“If we want to become Aatmanirbhar and the world’s third-largest economy of USD 5 trillion, the share of agriculture in GDP must increase to 22 to 24 per cent. To realise this goal, our government has adopted an important policy of diversifying agriculture towards the energy and power sectors,” the Union minister added.
He said a debate over food and fuel began with the start of ethanol production.
“Today, we have a surplus of sugar, rice, wheat, and corn, and are unable to provide remunerative prices for these crops. For instance, the MSP of corn was Rs 1,800 per quintal, but its market price has fallen to Rs 1,200 per quintal. After the ethanol policy, in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, corn prices have risen to Rs 2,600 to Rs 2,800 per quintal. Corn is now yielding good returns to farmers,” Gadkari said.
He recalled the days when sugarcane cultivators had to wait two to three years for their payments.
“After the ethanol policy, they are getting their money on time now. In Western Maharashtra alone, nearly 70 per cent of the sugar industry would have faced closure if ethanol production had not started,” he added. PTI SPK NSK
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