Reduce Sugar production and increase conversion to ethanol, says Nitin Gadkari

On Sunday while addressing the Sugar & Ethanol India Conference (SEIC) in Mumbai Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari gave a clarion call to the sugar factories to make a shift to the conversion of sugar into ethanol.

The Minister issued a warning to leaders of sugar and allied industries that if sugar production goes ahead as it does now, it will be harmful for the industry in times to come. Reminding them that as a country, we are rice-surplus, corn-surplus, and sugar-surplus, Gadkari said that what is good for our future is to reduce the production of sugar and increase the production of ethanol.

The Minister explained how the economics of ethanol is superior to that of vehicles run by diesel or petrol.

“We have issued advisory on flex engines; Toyota, Hundai and Suzuki have assured me that they will bring flex engines within six months. Recently, we launched pilot car run by green hydrogen. Toyota Chairman informed me that their car is flex – either 100% petrol or 100% ethanol and that Toyota cars of coming days will be run on hybrid electricity, which will generate 40% electricity and run 60% of the distance using 100% ethanol. This economics will be highly advantageous in comparison to petrol,” said Gadkari while addressing the SEIC.

The Minister exhorted all sugar factories whomanufacture ethanol to open ethanol pumps in their factories and other areas.

He said, “This can bring in 100% ethanol-run scooters, auto rickshaws and cars and thus increase ethanol consumption, reduce pollution, bring down imports and also provide jobs to people in villages.”

“There will definitely be a big enough market for Ethanol,” he further added.

The Minister assured that no one needs to be concerned whether there would be a big enough market for ethanol.

“Ethanol is a green and clean fuel; we are producing 465 crore litres of ethanol at present. However, when E-20 programme gets completed, our requirement will become around 1,500 crore litres. Moreover, in coming five years, when flex engines get ready, ethanol requirement will become 4,000 crore litres,” said Gadkari.

Hence, if you do not convert to ethanol and keep producing sugar, the factory will become loss-making, cautioned the Minister.

The Minister also said that the government is thinking of ways to increase the use of ethanol in the aviation sector and in the Indian Air Force.

“I am also exploring how to use ethanol in aviation industry. Two years ago, fighter jets which participated in Republic Day Parade had used 100% bio-ethanol. I am in discussion with Air Force Chief and Defence Ministry officials; we are thinking on how to increase use of ethanol in aviation and Indian Air Force,” the Minister added.