Gadkari Highlights Ethanol Blending Benefits for Farmers and Energy Independence

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has strongly defended India's ethanol-blending program, emphasizing its benefits for farmers and energy independence. Speaking at the Bihar Investor Summit 2026, Gadkari challenged critics to provide evidence of vehicle damage caused by ethanol-blended petrol. He noted that around 24 crore vehicles, including 4 crore four-wheelers and 20 crore two-wheelers, have been using the blended fuel since 2022 without reported issues. Leading automobile manufacturers have also tested higher ethanol blends, including 100% ethanol, with no complaints of vehicle damage.

Gadkari linked ethanol blending to reducing India's dependence on imported fuels, which cost around ₹22 lakh crore annually. He argued that expanding ethanol production creates new markets for agricultural commodities and reduces reliance on fossil fuels. The minister suggested that opposition to the shift may come from commercial interests tied to conventional fuel. He also highlighted the potential of agricultural waste, such as rice straw, for producing aviation fuel, emphasizing innovation and technology in shaping future opportunities.

Gadkari described ethanol as part of a broader effort to diversify India's agricultural economy, encouraging farmers to supply raw materials for energy and industrial applications. He cited corn-based ethanol as an example, stating it has generated additional earnings of up to ₹45,000 crore for farmers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The minister also pitched Bihar's potential in sectors like tourism and agriculture, with makhana as a key product for international markets. Bihar's Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary invited businesses to invest in the state, assuring access to a large consumer market with prescribed quality standards.