Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reflected on how, in the past, even his associates were skeptical about his claim that aircraft could run on bio aviation fuel. Now, he feels his vision has become a reality. “The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) operates a plant with an annual capacity of 88,000 tonnes for producing sustainable bio aviation turbine fuel (ATF),” Gadkari said, adding that he has already increased ethanol production at his facilities to 600,000 liters, reported The Times of India.
Gadkari anticipates the day when an aircraft will land at Nagpur’s international airport, refueled with bio ATF made from materials provided by farmers in Vidarbha.
“Bio aviation fuel will be cheaper than petroleum-based ATF. I have taken on the challenge of providing affordable bio ATF and have worked closely with the IOC chairman to make it happen.” A senior IOC official confirmed to TOI that a biofuel facility is being established in Panipat.
As per news report, the minister also mentioned that he has asked automobile industry leaders like Rajiv Bajaj and Venugopal Srinivasan (TVS) to direct their dealers to sell ethanol-powered two-wheelers at the same retail locations where the fuel is available. “IOC has set up 400 ethanol filling stations across the country. The goal is to sell vehicles directly through these stations,” Gadkari noted.
“Last month, I launched a CNG-powered scooter and motorcycle from Bajaj, which is the world’s first,” he added. “I am also developing a project to produce CNG from rice straw in Bhandara, which is expected to be operational within a month. Across the country, 400 similar projects are underway,” he said. Gadkari, who recently laid the foundation stone for a center established by Agrovision Foundation, a farmers’ NGO he supports, mentioned that the center will likely become the largest market for organic and natural farm produce in the country. “It will feature dedicated sections for food grains and fruits and vegetables, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly without intermediaries,” he concluded.
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