Shri Nitin Gadkari Emphasizes use of Green Fuels for Reducing Pollution

Shri Nitin Gadkari Emphasizes use of Green Fuels for Reducing Pollution 

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized on use of “Green Fuels” for checking the increasing air pollution. He was addressing the conference on “Green Fuel Vehicles for Transportation” in New Delhi today. 


Shri Gadkari said the Government has taken several steps to promote use of bio-diesel, ethanol and ethanol blended fuel. However, he said, the field of alternate fuels requires further research and technological innovations focusing on economic viability and reduction of costs. He suggested that Methane can be extracted from sewage water to produce Bio-CNG which can be used for running buses. 

The Minister informed the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is working with ISRO to develop lithium-ion battery for use in vehicles which will also contribute to the ‘Make in India’ vision. The cost of indigenously produced lithium-ion batteries is much lower compared to the international market, he added. Shri Gadkari said that he has asked to use lithium batteries in buses as pilot project. He also suggested that the the existing buses can be converted into the electricity run vehicles. The Minister said that the Government is working on a policy of giving incentives to the vehicle owners who surrender their old vehicles and buy new vehicles. 

Shri Gadkari said the green fuel will not only help in enhancing energy security, but will also contribute to the employment generation and GDP of India. It will also considerably reduce the burden of import bill, the Minister added. 

Shri Gadkari said a conference is being organized this month on Green Highways. He said the plants which can be used for the development of bio-fuels can also be planted along the Highways. Shri Gadkari called for suggestions from the stakeholders on this issue. 

During the two-day conference, various sessions are being held to discuss themes related to green energy such as green fuel for mass transportation, global best practices and international policy framework, technology related issues, new and renewable sources of energy etc. 

The stakeholders from the industry and senior Government officials are participating in the conference. 


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Approval of Revised Cost Estimate for sub-project Ramban to Banihal Section in the State of Jammu & Kashmir for development of four laning of National Highways under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase II. 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the revised cost estimate for the sub-project Ramban to Banihal Section in the State of Jammu & Kashmir approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for the development four laning of National Highways under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase II on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) Mode. 

Approval of the investment/award decision for the sub-project of four laning of Ramban-Banihal Section of NH-1A (now NH-44) of approximate length of 32.0 kms on EPC mode is at a revised cost estimate of Rs. 2168.66 crore, including the cost of land acquisition, R&R and pre-construction activities and Centage charges. 

This decision will expedite the implementation of six sub-projects in Jammu and Kashmir under NHDP Phase-II. Implementation of these projects would provide all-weather connectivity from Jammu to Kashmir valley. It will also reduce the journey time from Jammu to Srinagar and strategic border areas in the State. Moreover, implementation of the project would result in development of basic infrastructure in the region which would ultimately lead to overall economic development of the region. 


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Approval of Revised Cost Estimate for sub-project Udhampur to Ramban Section in the State of Jammu & Kashmir for development of four laning of National Highways under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase II 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the revised cost estimate for the sub-project Udhampur to Ramban Section in Jammu & Kashmir, approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for development of four laning of National Highways under National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase II, on Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) Mode. 

Approval of the investment/award decision for the sub-project of four laning of Udhampur-Ramban Section of NH-1A (now NH-44) of approximate length of 40.0 kms on EPC mode is at a revised cost estimate of Rs. 2136.97 crore, including cost of land acquisition, R&R and pre-construction activities and Centage Charges. 

This decision will expedite the implementation of six sub-projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Implementation of these projects would provide all-weather connectivity from Jammu to Kashmir valley. 

It will also reduce the journey time from Jammu to Srinagar and strategic border areas in the State. Moreover, implementation of the project would result in development of basic infrastructure in the region which would ultimately lead to overall economic development of the region.