Nitin Gadkari Looks Forward to Aircraft Refueled with Sustainable Bio ATF Sources by Farmers
Gadkari Promotes Organic Waste-to-Biofuel, Urges Valuing Garbage as a Resource
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently celebrated significant milestones in biofuel technology and sustainable agriculture. Reflecting on past skepticism, Gadkari expressed pride that his vision of bio aviation fuel is now a reality. The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has set up a facility with an annual production capacity of 88,000 tonnes of bio aviation turbine fuel (bio ATF). This advancement aligns with Gadkari’s efforts to boost ethanol production, which has now reached 600,000 liters.
Gadkari envisions a future where aircraft arriving at Nagpur’s international airport are refueled with bio ATF sourced from Vidarbha’s farmers. He highlighted that bio aviation fuel promises to be more affordable compared to conventional petroleum-based ATF. “My goal is to make bio ATF economically viable, and I am collaborating closely with IOC to achieve this,” he said. An IOC official confirmed that a new biofuel plant is being set up in Panipat to support these efforts.
In addition to his focus on aviation fuel, Gadkari is pushing for the widespread adoption of ethanol-powered vehicles. He has urged leaders in the automobile industry, such as Rajiv Bajaj and Venugopal Srinivasan, to ensure that dealers sell ethanol-powered two-wheelers at the same locations where ethanol is available. IOC has already established 400 ethanol refilling stations nationwide, with plans to sell vehicles directly at these sites.
Gadkari also recently introduced the world’s first CNG-powered scooter and motorcycle, developed in collaboration with Bajaj. He is working on a project to produce CNG from rice straw in Bhandara, expected to launch within a month. This initiative is part of a broader effort, with 400 similar projects underway across India.
Moreover, Gadkari laid the foundation for a major new agricultural market in Nagpur, supported by the Agrovision Foundation, an NGO aiding farmers. This center will offer a dedicated space for organic and natural produce, allowing farmers to sell directly to consumers. The project, set to begin soon, has received necessary approvals and will feature sections for grains, fruits, and vegetables.
In addition to these initiatives, Gadkari announced plans for an electric bus service around the ring road and the construction of an agricultural convention center at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyalaya. These developments reflect his commitment to advancing both sustainable energy and agricultural practices.
