Overview

• Speaking at a bioenergy conference in New Delhi, Nitin Gadkari urged a shift toward ethanol exports following the 20% blending rollout.
• India recorded an average 19.05% ethanol blend in ESY 2024–25 through July, with petrol now carrying up to 20% ethanol across the country.
• Government data cited by the minister put annual ethanol capacity at roughly 1,822 crore litres, drawing on molasses and grain feedstocks.
• Gadkari highlighted plans to convert rice straw into ethanol and bio-CNG, saying about 500 plants are under development to curb stubble burning.
• He touted trials of bio-bitumen roads, ethanol-powered generators, and flex-fuel vehicles, while framing biofuels as a path to lower the fossil-fuel import bill and lift farm incomes.