Working on policy for alternative fuel-run construction equipment: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari

With the aim of giving a further thrust on clean mobility on roads and highways, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that the ministry is working on a new draft policy that will encourage construction machinery run on alternative fuels instead of fossil fuels. Without specifying a timeline, he mentioned that the proposal would be submitted to the finance ministry for approval.

Gadkari was addressing a press conference in New Delhi, wherein he said under the leadership of Prime Minister all steps will be taken for making the country clean and garbage-free. He also stated that his ministry has worked on multiple green initiatives in the past such as curbing wastes and promoting green mobility.

“Discouraging fossil-fuel run construction machinery aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's long term objective of achieving carbon neutrality for India by 2047. So we have formulated a draft policy that will promote use of alternative fuel in construction equipment to reduce cost and dependence on fossil fuels.”

As per MoRTH's internal survey, construction equipment use 400 crore litres of diesel every year.

"Incentives like interest subvention scheme can be worked out so that concessionaires or contractors can invest in construction equipment running on alternate fuels instead of fossil fuels,” the minister said.

Earlier this year, the minister had broached the idea to road-making companies to switch over to construction equipment that is run on alternative fuel to conserve costs. Last year, he also urged the construction equipment industry to look for green fuels.

Gadkari said his ministry has taken several initiatives to decarbonise the transport sector and that the government is working on developing electric highways between Delhi and Jaipur.

"This is based on a prevalent technology in countries like Sweden and Norway wherein it involves the provision of power cables, which can be utilised by a vehicle which caters to this type of technology. The vehicle will utilise the power from this cable for its traction," added Gadkari.

Gadkari also shared that his ministry is aiming to make all national highways potholes-free in the medium term. According to him, a policy is being drafted to ensure pothole-free national highways by the end of this year and young engineers will be roped in to make this project a success. Gadkari said that rains can cause damage to highways resulting in potholes and the new policy will will work on a solution to eradicate that.

Talking about the alternate bio fuels in the country, Gadkari asserted that he has been a strong proponent of creating an “Ethanol Economy” and has been pushing for large-scale uptake of this green fuel to boost the agricultural growth by six percent.

“My objective is to make the ethanol economy worth Rs 2 lakh crore. With the launch of  the world’s first BS-VI compliant flex fuel Strong Hybrid Vehicle in Delhi, such engines will be operating on 100 percent ethanol and  the savings would surpass Rs 1 lakh crore for the economy.” He also revealed that the Indian Oil’s plant in Panipat converts agricultural waste, like rice straw, into ethanol and biobitumen.

Gadkari also revealed that by 2025, there will be a mandate to use 1 percent sustainable aviation fuel with prospective plans to escalate to 5 percent blending in India in the future. Indian Oil is establishing a plant in Panipat with a capacity to produce 87,000 tonnes of Sustainable Aviation Fuel , he stated.

The minister also said that in India, the telecom sector operates approximately six lakh mobile towers, which have have been reliant on diesel generator sets for power.

“While one tower consuming around 8,000 liters of diesel annually, this cumulatively results in a staggering consumption of 250 crore liters of diesel, costing around Rs 25,000 crore every year,” highlighted Gadkari.

“The integration of ethanol as a fuel for these generator sets offers a sustainable alternative to diesel. Moreover, the market has already developed a generator which is run on 100 percent ethanol, the minister said.” He said he is pushing the genset industry to only operate on Ethanol-based generators in the time to come.

Gadkari also said hydrogen is the fuel for the future and the most important way through which India can become a net exporter of energy. He also said that his ministry is receiving complaints on drainage system in the the national highways and a new policy is in works to address that as well.

Meanwhile, Gadkari outlined that in the ongoing “Swachta hi Seva” fortnight, programmes including cleanliness drive along national highways, wayside amenities, Dhabas, toll plazas have been planned at 13,000 locations and work has been completed in almost 7,000 locations.

He also said the disposal of solid waste generated on a daily basis is a major environmental challenge being faced in urban areas across the country. He also noted that 10,000 hectares of land is locked in dump sites. According to MoRTH, urban solid waste has been utilized in the construction of Urban Extension Road-II.

“Our ministry is working on solutions to utilize urban solid waste in highway Construction. Creating  wealth from waste is possible through technology and visionary leadership,” maintained Gadkari.  He also revealed that his ministry is finalising a policy for use of municipal waste in road construction.

The minister said with advancements in bio-ethanol production technologies, one ton of rice can yield approximately 400 to 450 liters of ethanol, symbolizing a significant stride towards sustainability and energy independence.