Nitin Gadkari is developing a policy for installing ethanol pumps

Petroleum Minister in 15 days to develop a strategy for setting up ethanol pumps in the country." “The potential of ethanol is huge and there is a demand from Bangladesh for it as well,” he added. Gadkari said that there is a requirement of 1000 crore litre of ethanol if we blend it with petrol by up to 20%. “Now Bajaj, Hero, and TVS have motorcycles ready that can run on 100% bioethanol. We can also have auto rickshaws that run on it,” he said. India has been pushing for replacing fossil fuel run vehicles with alternate fuels in a bid to cut import dependence and boost local manufacturing.

According to Gadkari, the country’s Rs 16 lakh crore fuel import bill is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Commenting on the status of ethanol dispensation outlets that have been set up, he said, “We have three ethanol pumps in Pune but we now need scooters and rickshaws to run on flex fuel and coordinate with the pumps. This can be spread to Uttar Pradesh and all scooters and auto rickshaw can run on bio-ethanol in the state.”