Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the International Methanol Seminar and Expo organized by NITI Aayog in New Delhi today. The event was attended by Sh. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Sh. V K Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, and Sh. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. Gadkari also visited the Expo, which showcased methanol-based products and machinery.
During his speech at the seminar, Nitin Gadkari highlighted two pressing issues: increasing pollution and dependence on fossil fuel imports. He stressed the need to reduce these imports, which total approximately ₹22 lakh crore, especially given current global geopolitical uncertainties. Gadkari pointed out the critical role of biofuels in achieving energy independence, supporting the agricultural economy, and enhancing the prosperity of Indian farmers. He also mentioned that using alternative fuels like methanol, ethanol, and bio-CNG could lower India’s logistics costs.
The Union Minister noted that India is making notable progress in the biofuel sector, particularly with methanol. He acknowledged NITI Aayog’s successful efforts to promote methanol due to its affordability and environmental benefits. He also indicated that low-quality coal, available in some states, is being utilized to produce methanol.
Gadkari emphasized the concept of turning waste into wealth, explaining that materials such as used tire powder and plastic are being repurposed for road construction, thereby reducing the need for bitumen imports. He also discussed how utilizing crop waste is helping to increase farmers’ incomes nationwide.
He underscored the importance of waste-to-energy technologies, especially the production of bio-CNG from rice straw, which has shown promise in 475 projects, with over 40 already operational in states like Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. The conversion rate of rice straw to bio-CNG is approximately 5:1 in tonnes. The Union Minister called for further research into more efficient biomass sources and cost-effective transportation methods for biomass.
Gadkari also addressed the issue of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, noting that currently, India can process only one-fifth of the stubble, but with improved planning, seasonal air pollution from stubble burning could be mitigated by using stubble as a raw material for alternative fuels. He stressed the need for a policy that is cost-effective, indigenous, substitutes imports, and generates employment to tackle the pressing issues of rising pollution and fossil fuel dependence.
He commended NITI Aayog for organizing the International Seminar and Expo on Methanol.
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