Nagpur turns waste into 28 tonnes of CNG daily: Gadkari says 4,000 such projects underway in India | Today’s news
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday highlighted India’s growing push to convert waste to fuel, saying Nagpur produces 28 tonnes of compressed natural gas (CNG) from waste every day and around 4,000 similar projects are underway across the country.
Speaking at a program after the launch of the new public bus service in Madhya Pradesh with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Gadkari said such projects (turning waste into fuel) would help farmers earn additional income while reducing imports and pollution.
The use of ethanol has increased farmers’ incomes
Gadkari also cited ethanol as an example of how alternative fuels can help increase farmers’ income and reduce India’s dependence on oil imports. He said corn prices have risen from around ₹1,200 per cent ₹2,600 per quintal after starting ethanol production.
“Today, the farmer is not only our ‘anna data’ (provider of food) but also our ‘urja data’ (provider of energy),” Gadkari said, adding, “This is the meaning of swadeshi, self-reliance and independence.”
The minister calls for the use of clean fuel
India imports oil worth around ₹22 lakh crore, according to Gadkari, who has called for greater use of domestic and cleaner fuel sources to reduce this dependence.
The minister said that flex-fuel engines capable of running on 100% ethanol are being developed and vehicles using this technology will be introduced. The government also promoted electric vehicles while hydrogen-powered vehicles were under development.
“I’m traveling in a hydrogen vehicle. It’s called Mirai, which means future,” he said.
Hydrogen buses on 10 routes in Madhya Pradesh
Noting that hydrogen buses will be introduced on 10 routes, the minister said the new bus service launched in Madhya Pradesh will provide safer, affordable and responsible transport facilities, especially to the poorer sections of the society.
“Poor people should get facilities. They should get better facilities in AC buses and the fare should be 30 percent less than diesel buses. That is our dream,” he said.
Gadkari said the government wants to make public transport more popular in India and pointed out that the transport sector has a significant share in pollution.
He said the government was working on several measures to improve the safety and quality of buses, including stricter testing requirements before registration.
Gadkari said the buses will also be more accessible for the disabled and senior citizens, with the design allowing for easier boarding.
He said the government is promoting scrapping of old vehicles and increasing the number of scrapping and testing centres.
Gadkari said 32 driving centers have been set up in Madhya Pradesh to address the shortage of trained drivers.
