India to use all solid waste for road construction by 2027, says Gadkari

Gadkari also spoke on the development of the Indian automobile industry and the promotion of alternative fuels.

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Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that all solid waste in India will be used for road construction by the end of 2027, as reported by news agency ANI. Addressing the 120th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on Thursday, he added that 80 lakh tonnes of waste have already been segregated for this purpose.”No material is waste and no person is waste. Depending on the appropriate technology and leadership vision, you can convert waste into wealth. We have decided that before 2027 ends, whatever garbage is there, which is solid waste, we are going to use it in road construction,” Gadkari said.He cited Delhi as an example, stating that the city has four large waste dumps. “We have segregated 80 lakh tonnes of waste and used it in road construction,” he added.

Automobile industry and alternative fuels

Gadkari also spoke on the development of the Indian automobile industry and the promotion of alternative fuels. He stated that the sector, currently the third-largest in the world with a size of ₹22 lakh crore, is expected to become the largest within five years.”In 2014, the automobile industry was the seventh largest in the world and had a total volume of ₹14 lakh crore. A few days ago, we bypassed Japan, and now we are third in the world. Now, the way we are using technology and new research to replace alternative fuels, biofuels, electric vehicles, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG, electric, and hydrogen, our automobile hub India has almost all the brands of the world,” he said.Gadkari highlighted the Centre’s call for an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-sufficient India), saying, “I called the automobile industry people and said that if you want to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat, you have to be the first in the world. The USA is the first in the world, and its automobile industry is ₹78 lakh crore. China is the second-largest in the world, and its automobile industry is ₹49 lakh crore. The way we are bringing in new research and innovations, I am confident that our automobile industry will be the first in the world in five years.”

Ethanol production and farmers’ income

Gadkari also noted the economic impact of ethanol production from corn, claiming it has generated additional income of ₹45,000 crore for farmers. “When we decided to make ethanol from corn, the corn’s market price was ₹1,200 per quintal, and MSP was ₹1,800 per quintal. After the decision, corn’s price went up to ₹2,800 per quintal. ₹45,000 crore additional went into the pockets of farmers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar,” he said.Earlier in September, he called for India to consider exporting ethanol, given its surplus production, after the country achieved its target of blending 20 per cent ethanol in petrol. “It is the time for India’s futuristic development. We need to reduce our imports and increase our exports. As far as the surplus of ethanol, it is now the requirement of the country that we need to export ethanol,” Gadkari said.