Lucknow: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, emphasized Uttar Pradesh’s potential to play a leading role in green energy during the Green Bharat Summit organized by Dainik Jagran and Invest UP.
He presented a vision where farmers, traditionally seen as food providers, can also become energy providers by diversifying agriculture.
“By diversifying farming, farmers can become not just food providers but also energy providers, fuel suppliers, and even aviation fuel producers. Uttar Pradesh will play a crucial role in this transformation,” Gadkari stated.
Highlighting the importance of ethanol, Gadkari said it is a critical fuel alternative to petrol. Speaking about its potential, he stated that 100% ethanol-powered cars will hit the market within six months, offering a pollution-free alternative. Ethanol production in UP’s sugar mills will not only meet domestic demand but also support exports.
“Indian Oil has started the process of setting up 400 ethanol pumps. Ethanol-powered scooters and e-rickshaws have already been introduced in the market,” he added.
Addressing the summit, Gadkari underlined the importance of reducing petrol imports to achieve the vision of a “Green India.” He said that the idea of a Green India is to reduce the import of petrol. The economy of ethanol is very important, and it is related to four states. Uttar Pradesh ranks first among them, followed by Maharashtra at second, Karnataka at third, and Tamil Nadu at fourth. In the future, sugarcane will provide both security and income. Therefore, it is crucial to increase the production of sugarcane per acre.
“The future of sugarcane lies in its potential for ensuring both safety and profitability for farmers. Increasing per-acre sugarcane yield is critical,” he explained.
