Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that greater use of ethanol can help increase farmers’ income while reducing India’s dependence on imported petroleum. Speaking at a programme in Madhya Pradesh after launching the state’s new public bus service along with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Gadkari highlighted ethanol, electricity, hydrogen and other alternative fuels as important components of India’s transition towards cleaner mobility.
Gadkari said the expansion of ethanol production had already created economic benefits for farmers. He cited the increase in maize prices from around ₹1,200 per quintal to ₹2,600 per quintal after the growth of ethanol production, saying the development demonstrated the potential of domestically produced biofuels to support rural incomes and reduce dependence on imported energy. 
The minister said India was importing petroleum worth around ₹22 lakh crore and stressed the need to reduce this dependence through alternative energy sources. He said flex-fuel engines capable of running on up to 100% ethanol were being developed and that vehicles using the technology would be introduced. According to Gadkari, wider adoption of ethanol could help India save foreign exchange while supporting farmers and strengthening domestic energy security.
Gadkari also highlighted the government's focus on electric and hydrogen mobility. He said electric tractors had already been introduced and hydrogen-powered vehicles were being developed, while hydrogen buses were planned for 10 routes. He described hydrogen as an important technology for future transportation and said cleaner fuels could help reduce pollution and fuel imports.
On public transport, Gadkari said India currently has around two buses per 1,000 people against a requirement of eight buses per 1,000. He said the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme envisages the deployment of 10,000 buses with an outlay of ₹57,000 crore. The minister said 972 buses had been sanctioned so far and that the scheme could generate 45 lakh to 55 lakh jobs.
Gadkari also highlighted the potential of converting waste into fuel. He said Nagpur was producing around 28 tonnes of CNG every day from waste and that thousands of similar projects were being developed across India. According to him, waste-to-fuel projects can provide additional income opportunities for farmers while helping reduce pollution and dependence on imported fuels.
The minister further stressed the importance of affordable and accessible public transport, particularly for poorer sections of society, and said new buses should offer better safety and accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. He also discussed vehicle scrappage, driver training and alternative employment opportunities in the transport sector, linking these measures with India's broader efforts to develop cleaner mobility and expand livelihood opportunities.
