Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said there is an urgent need for India to embrace alternative and green fuels, noting that it is highly dependent on energy imports and vulnerable to a climate that is growing more uncertain globally.
At the seminar on “Compressed Biogas Conclave 2026 : Moving Towards an Efficient & Robust CBG Product on Ecosystem”, he said that India imports almost 80% of its energy requirements and an import bill of around ₹22 lakh crore, which is not a small amount for the whole economy.
He also stressed how India should vigorously push for non-polluting and sustainable fuels to reduce energy dependence in terms of imports as well as energy security.
The Minister said that he is confident that the Compressed Biogas (CBG) ecosystem will follow a good trajectory, which can be much improved in the form of efficiency and in a smoother way, as the power plant expands with infrastructure.
He said India should look at proven technologies and the availability of raw materials.
The minister also noted advancements in the auto industry. Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese automobile giant, is working on flex-fuel and dual-fuel vehicles, which will play a big role in promoting ethanol and other alternative fuels in India.
Gadkari highlighted that knowledge should be turned into wealth through innovation, and supported businesses and researchers in finding practical solutions that would promote sustainability.
The minister said alternative fuels are gaining added importance in the light of India’s growing population and increasing number of vehicles for fuel. Encouragingly, market economics for alternative fuels is already turning favourable, and the transition now should be less of a struggle.
Addressing the impact of bioenergy, Gadkari said that CBG should be expanded in transport and other sectors. He also supported the broader adoption of ethanol-based fuels, E-flex fuel vehicles, CNG, electric tractors and agricultural machinery.
