Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Gadkari Promotes Ethanol, Cleaner Transport and Expanded Public Buses
Nitin Gadkari said farmers can earn more by helping produce ethanol, a fuel made from crops.
He said ethanol could also help India buy less petroleum from other countries.
The government is working on vehicles that can use ethanol, electricity and hydrogen.
It is also turning some waste into fuel.
Madhya Pradesh has started a new bus service that is meant to be safer and cheaper.
Gadkari said buses should be easier for older people and people with disabilities to use.
The government plans to add many more buses through the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme.
He also said cleaner transport could reduce pollution and create jobs.
Nitin Gadkari said ethanol can increase farmers’ incomes and reduce India’s dependence on petroleum imports.
He said flex-fuel vehicles, electric tractors, hydrogen vehicles and waste-to-fuel projects were being developed or promoted.
Madhya Pradesh launched a new public bus service intended to provide safer, more affordable and accountable transport.
The PM e-Bus Sewa scheme envisages 10,000 buses, ₹57,000 crore in spending and 45 lakh to 55 lakh jobs.
Gadkari said cleaner transport, vehicle scrapping, stricter testing and expanded bus services could reduce pollution and create employment.
- Who
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and the state government’s public transport system are central to the announcement.
- What
- Gadkari promoted ethanol and other alternative fuels while outlining plans for cleaner, safer and expanded public transport.
- When
- Friday, September 25, 2026.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh, where a new public bus service was launched.
- Why
- To raise farmers’ incomes, reduce petroleum imports, lower pollution, improve public transport and create employment.
- Ethanol benefit
- Gadkari said maize prices rose from about ₹1,200 to ₹2,600 per quintal after ethanol production began.
- Petroleum imports
- India imports petroleum worth around ₹22 lakh crore, according to Gadkari.
- PM e-Bus Sewa
- The scheme envisages 10,000 buses with an outlay of ₹57,000 crore.
- Buses sanctioned
- Gadkari said 972 buses had been sanctioned under the scheme.
- Expected employment
- The PM e-Bus Sewa scheme is expected to generate 45 lakh to 55 lakh jobs.
- Public transport gap
- India has about two buses per 1,000 people, compared with a stated requirement of eight.
- Waste-to-fuel production
- Nagpur was producing 28 tonnes of CNG daily from waste, Gadkari said.