Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said petroleum companies in India would not easily allow the country to shift to alternative fuels.
Speaking at a biofuel conference in Pune, Maharashtra, Gadkari said energy self-reliance could help India reach an economic target of Rs 460 lakh crore. He pointed to the ongoing tensions in West Asia as a reminder of why energy security is crucial.
Gadkari noted that India imports 86% of the energy it uses, spending about Rs 22 lakh crore for it. He said the government’s aim is to make the transport system safer by 2030 and to promote cleaner fuels along with agriculture to unlock benefits from domestic fuel sources.
He added that expanding alternative fuels could increase rural employment, support environmental and economic goals, and reduce costs for consumers. However, he alleged that large companies remain interested in importing petroleum products worth Rs 22 lakh crore, and therefore may not permit a wider shift to alternative fuels.
