 "Nitin Gadkari")
The Centre is willing to offer one million litres of bio-diesel a day to the Delhi government to combat the rising menace of pollution, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday.
Besides, the Centre will offer the technology to convert municipal and other waste into bio compressed natural gas (CNG) that could power 1,000 buses, he said, calling upon investors from China to form joint ventures with companies here for manufacturing electric vehicles like autorickshaws under 'Make in India' initiative.
"Pollution is a serious problem and the government is committed to addressing it. Diesel and petroleum pollution are the major factors behind Delhi's problem," Gadkari said while inaugurating the maiden international electric vehicle expo here on Thursday.
On the one million litres of bio-diesel being offered by the Centre, he said, "If it (Delhi government) agrees, it can use it in generator sets."
He said the supply could be made at cheaper rates than diesel and around 30,000 litres were already being supplied in some areas in Maharashtra.
The minister also said hundreds of thousands of tonnes of vegetables and fruits perish in Delhi's Azadpur Mandi, which could be converted into bio-fuel.
"We are formulating a policy with the agriculture ministry to create biofuel from waste," he said, adding this will help farmers who can make bio-fuel such as ethanol through products like sugar.
This will not only benefit the country's economy but also cut on huge the Rs 8 lakh crore annual crude imports, he noted.
The minister urged the Chinese investors present during the expo to form joint ventures with Indian firms to manufacture electric vehicles such as e-rickshaws and e-carts.
"There is immense potential in India, where around 10 million people will be the beneficiaries... I request you to enter into technical collaboration with India companies for manufacturing."
Adding, "China has done a lot of research in the field of electric battery; instead of importing from there, investors can join hands with Indian companies to manufacture the vehicles here."
Around 20 Chinese companies are participating in the expo to showcase their e-Vehicle products. Overall, about 100 Indian and international e-vehicle companies are showcasing e-rickshaws, e-carts and e-vehicles at the expo.
Gadkari said lithium ion battery for vehicles has been made by Isro scientists and costs only Rs 6 lakh compared with Rs 55 lakh for imported batteries.
He added the government would convert 150,000 state transport buses into electric buses to ease pollution.
