Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced that by the end of 2027, all solid waste in India will be utilized for road construction. Speaking at the 120th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Thursday, Gadkari revealed that 80 lakh tons of waste has already been segregated and earmarked for use in road construction projects.
“No material is waste, and no person is waste. With the right technology and leadership, we can turn waste into wealth,” Gadkari said. “By 2027, we plan to use all solid waste for road construction.” He also pointed out the unsightly “mountains” of waste in Delhi, adding, “We have already segregated 80 lakh tons of waste and are using it for building roads.”
The Minister also praised the government’s initiatives in biofuels and ethanol-based fuels, saying India’s automobile industry is set to become the largest in the world within the next five years. Currently, India’s automobile sector ranks third globally, behind the US and China, with a market size of Rs 22 lakh crore (Rs 2.2 trillion).
“In 2014, India’s automobile industry was the 7th largest globally, worth Rs 14 lakh crore (Rs 1.4 trillion). Just recently, we surpassed Japan to become the third-largest. Now, with innovations in alternative fuels—biofuels, electric vehicles, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG, and hydrogen—we are positioning India to be the world leader in the automobile industry,” Gadkari said.
Echoing the Centre’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), Gadkari emphasized the need for the nation to lead globally. “The US is the largest automobile market at Rs 78 lakh crore (Rs 7.8 trillion), and China is second at Rs 49 lakh crore (Rs 4.9 trillion). With ongoing technological advancements, I am confident that India will soon become number one in the automobile sector.”
The Minister also shared the success of the government’s ethanol policy, which has led to an additional Rs 45,000 crore in income for farmers. He highlighted how the decision to use corn for ethanol production increased the price of corn from Rs 1,200 per quintal to Rs 2,800 per quintal, benefiting farmers, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
“When we decided to make ethanol from corn, the price surged, and this generated an additional Rs 45,000 crore for farmers,” he said.
This statement comes in the wake of India achieving its target of blending 20% ethanol in petrol. Gadkari reiterated the importance of biofuels and expressed optimism for India’s future ethanol exports. “We need to reduce imports and focus on increasing exports. With our surplus ethanol production, it’s time for India to start exporting ethanol,” he said at the 2nd International Conference on Bioenergy and Technologies in September.
India’s push for ethanol-based fuels continues as the country moves toward self-reliance in energy and agriculture.
