Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari mentioned about advancements in biofuel production and its applications, particularly in the aviation sector. He shared that when he first proposed the idea of aircraft running on bio aviation fuel, it was met with scepticism, even among his associates. However, this vision has now become a reality. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has established a plant with an annual capacity of 88,000 tonnes to produce bio aviation turbine fuel (bio ATF). Gadkari also mentioned that he has tripled ethanol production at his facilities to 6 lakh litres, reports Times of India.
Looking ahead, Gadkari envisions a day when aircraft landing at Nagpur’s international airport will be refuelled with bio ATF produced from materials supplied by farmers in Vidarbha. He emphasized that bioaviation fuel would be more cost-effective than petroleum-based ATF. “I have taken up the challenge to provide cheap bio ATF and am working on it,” Gadkari stated.
Gadkari, who recently laid the foundation stone for a new centre by the Agrovision Foundation, a farmers’ NGO he supports, announced that the centre will host what is expected to be the largest market for organic and natural farm produce in India. The market will feature separate sections for food grains and fruits-vegetables, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly, without intermediaries. The work on this agricultural produce market is set to begin within a month, with necessary approvals already obtained from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the nearby residential society, where Gadkari himself owns a flat. The market will be located off Wardha Road.
Additionally, Gadkari reiterated plans to operate an electric bus service around the ring road and announced that work on an agricultural convention centre at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyalaya’s land is expected to start soon.
