Vehicles must use alternative fuels: Nitin Gadkari

NASHIK: Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadakari said here today that ethanol, bio-diesel and electricity must power vehicles for a pollution-free atmosphere.

He was speaking after commissioning Maharashtra's first automatic vehicle testing and inspection centre as well as a computerized driving test track at the regional transport office here this morning.

He said that the number of vehicles in India is 18 crore and hence the nation has to pay more to import petroleum products, as compared to ethanol and bio-diesel which cost Rs 52 to Rs 46 per litre.

Ethanol and bio-diesel are being used in buses as well as trains in Nagpur and Haldia, while the government is trying to set up a drainage water processing project in order to produce methane and CNG, he said.

Maharashtra Transport Commissioner Sonia Sethi said that inspection centres will be set up at 15 regional transport offices and 35 sub-regional transport offices shortly.