Nagpur: Union minister for highways and road transport, Nitin Gadkari, announced that he has signed the file approving rules for granting legal sanction to 100% ethanol-driven vehicles.
Ethanol Dream Realized
"Finally, my dream of ethanol replacing petrol is coming true. I was ridiculed and severely criticised when I talked about ethanol-driven vehicles. When I signed the file at 8pm on Friday, it was a big day for me," Gadkari told newspersons while speaking on 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government on Saturday.
The minister also revealed that he launched a 100% ethanol version of a top automobile company, with other auto firms expected to follow suit. "Multiple narratives were set against alternative fuel. Now, I hope aircraft too would run on sustainable aviation turbine fuel (ATF) manufactured from biomass, which can be easily procured from farmers," he added.
Government Support for Sustainable Fuel
Gadkari highlighted that the government has already declared a Rs 10,000 crore package for stabilizing ATF prices at Rs 115 per litre. "This will help freeze rates and shield airlines from further fuel hikes," he explained.
A champion of electric vehicles, Gadkari said one of his biggest achievements was introducing mechanized e-rickshaws. On an emotional note, he recalled: "I remember the time when cycle rickshaw pullers struggled to climb steep inclines with passengers. Now, cycle rickshaws have been replaced by e-rickshaws. During summers, workers would carry heavy grain sacks on their backs. Nobody carries loads these days as 1.5 crore workers have been spared the gruelling labour. They all have got e-rickshaws."
