Gadkari emphasises the need to use alternative fuels for tractors and drones
Green hydrogen will make it possible for India to be an exporter of energy, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said at the inaugural CII Vikram Kirloskar Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on 12 Dec 2023.
Gadkari pointed out that imports of around Rs.16 lakh crore of fossil fuel was not only an economic problem but was also causing pollution in major cities and creating health problems.
The Ministry was working towards pollution reduction especially since the road sector was responsible for 40% of air pollution, he said, calling on the automobile industry to work towards introduction of flexi fuel engine and alternative fuel.
CII has instituted the CII Vikram Kirloskar Memorial Lecture Series to honour the memory of its past president and erstwhile Vice Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motors. The series will be conducted in partnership with the Vikram Kirloskar family.
It was time Indian agriculture diversifies towards energy and power, he said at the lecture themed ‘Future of Green Mobility and Green Fuels’.
While reminiscing late Vikram Kirloskar, Gadkari said he was a statesman of the automobile industry who supported innovation and new technology and was committed to clean and safe transport.
“His commitment for ecology and environment was remarkable,” he added.
The Minister asked the industry to work towards making India the biggest automobile producer within five years.
Besides automobiles, the Minister also emphasised on the need to use alternative fuel like ethanol, methanol and CNG for tractors and drones.
He said flexi fuel engine could be used in drones for the agriculture sector in order to have more efficient use of urea and other fertilisers.
Gadkari said corn, wheat, sugar, and rice were surplus in production and the prices in India were not remunerative which made agriculture unviable. Production of biofuels could change this.
In her comments at the lecture event, Geetanjali Vikram Kirloskar, chairperson and managing director, Kirloskar Systems, said both her husband and the Minister shared the passion for new technologies especially in the space of mobility.
She said the lecture sets the tone for the industry to strive towards creating a seamless and sustainable mobility landscape. Fiinews.com
