Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that petrol and diesel vehicles are unlikely to remain viable in the future, and India must move towards cleaner fuel options.
Speaking at a recent industry event, he highlighted two major concerns—rising pollution and the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel. India spends a large amount on importing petrol and diesel, which affects the economy. At the same time, these fuels contribute significantly to air pollution, especially in urban areas.
To tackle these issues, Gadkari stressed the need to adopt alternative fuels at a faster pace. He encouraged automobile manufacturers to focus on electric vehicles, biofuels, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen. These options are cleaner and can help reduce both pollution and fuel costs over time.
He also said that India should aim to use fuels that can be produced within the country. This would not only reduce imports but also support local industries and make the country more self-reliant in energy.
Among the alternatives, Gadkari pointed to hydrogen as a promising option for the future. He said more efforts should be made in research and development to make hydrogen-based transport more practical and widely available.
The minister also emphasised the importance of improving public transport systems. Cleaner buses and better urban transport can reduce traffic congestion and pollution while making travel more efficient for people.
India has already taken steps in this direction by promoting electric vehicles and increasing ethanol blending in petrol. The government is also exploring new technologies to support green mobility.
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