INTRODUCTION
- In Nagpur, Maharashtra, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari opened India’s first private Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) facility on July 11, 2021.
- India’s first LNG factory on Kamptee Road was built by Baidyanath Ayurvedic Group nearby Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway.
- At the plant’s opening, the Union Minister underlined the need for alternative biofuels for agriculture’s expansion into the electricity and energy sectors.
- He also stated that the Central Government has been pushing electric, ethanol, LNG, and compressed natural gas (CNG) as alternatives to traditional fuels.
ALTERNATE FUEL PLANS OF GOVERNMENT –
- During the opening of the LNG facility, the Union Minister stated that the Central Government has spent Rs. 8 lakh crores on the import of petrol, diesel, and petroleum products, which is a significant problem.
- He went on to say that the policy was created to stimulate the development of pollution-free, cost-effective imports such as ethanol, LNG, bio-CNG, and hydrogen fuels. The Ministry has also been experimenting with other alternative fuels.
- Gadkari pointed out that India had excess rice and sugar, and suggested that the excess may be utilised to manufacture biofuels. Researchers also conducted tests to see whether they could make bioethanol from these plants.
FLEX ENGINE MANDATORY INSTALLATION POLICY –
- The importance of ‘Flex engines,’ which can run on both ethanol and gasoline, was emphasised by the Union Minister.
- He stated that a policy is being considered for the required installation of flex engines by car manufacturers in the country, including both two and four-wheelers.
- Countries like Canada, Brazil, and the United States already have them. Whether it’s a Flex engine or a gasoline engine, the vehicle’s price will stay the same.
