Now preparations to mix 10% biofuel in diesel, target to reduce dependence on energy imports

After attaining the target of a 20 percent ethanol blend in petrol, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has now made known his intentions to blend 10% isobutanol in diesel. Gadkari states that this action can turn out to be a new avenue for the energy and agriculture industry, following the success of the ethanol-petrol blend in India.

Addressing a program of Praj Industries in Pune, Gadkari stated that efforts are being made to study, design, and standardize on isobutanol. The proposal will be submitted to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet once it's ready. According to him, diesel usage in India is two to three times that of petrol, hence diesel needs to be added to the blending program.

Gadkari said that now India produces surplus rice, wheat, sugarcane, and maize. In states like Punjab, grains are even stored on railway platforms. Converting this additional production into biofuel has increased the income of farmers. The market price of maize has increased from ₹ 1,200 to ₹ 2,600–₹ 2,800, while the area under cultivation in Bihar and UP has doubled and tripled.

Gadkari said that ethanol production has saved the sugar industry from the problem of delay in sugarcane payment. Farmers have started getting timely payments, and 75% of the industry could have collapsed without ethanol.

It is worth noting that India had set a target of achieving 20 percent ethanol blending in petrol by 2030, but it has been achieved five years earlier. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri gave this information last month. The government claims that this will help in protecting the environment as well as reducing dependence on energy imports. At the same time, people from all over the country are also complaining about the problems caused by ethanol in old vehicles.