Nitin Gadkari also informed that various road projects worth Rs 65,000 crore are expected to be completed by the end of this year, including the construction of the Dwarka Expressway.
Nitin Gadkari: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday that on August 29 he will unveil Toyota's 100 percent ethanol-fuelled Innova car. Taking a step to encourage alternative fuel-powered and green vehicles, the Union minister had launched the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen-powered car last year. Addressing the Mint Sustainability Summit in Delhi, Gadkari said, "On August 29, I am going to launch the popular (Toyota) Innova car on 100 per cent ethanol," PTI reported. This car will be the world's first BS-VI (Stage-II), electrified flex-fuel car.
The goal is to make oil imports zero
Gadkari said that he started taking interest in bio fuel after the hike in petrol prices in the country in 2004 and for this he visited Brazil. He said that this fuel can do wonders and save huge amount of foreign exchange which is spent on import of petroleum. If we have to become self-sufficient, then we have to bring oil import to zero. At present, the country spends Rs 16 lakh crore on this, which is a big loss for the economy here. He emphasized that India needs to adopt more sustainable measures as the pollution situation in the country is serious and we need to take more initiatives as pollution is a serious problem.
Emphasis on reducing pollution
He said that, ecology and environment is very important. We need to reduce air and water pollution. We have to improve the quality of water in our rivers, which is a big challenge. We need to protect our ecology and environment, he said. He also informed that various road projects worth Rs 65,000 crore are expected to be completed by the end of this year, including the construction of the Dwarka Expressway. He also stressed on the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that lead to diseases like cancer, while organic farming can generate a lot of wealth and provide us with economic stability. We need to educate people to convert waste into wealth, he said.
