looking to make them mandatory for all vehicle manufacturers in the country and has sought the authorisation of the highest judicial court in this regard.
“We have submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court. When we get the permission of the Supreme Court, then we will make it mandatory for all vehicle manufacturers to make flex-fuel engines,” Gadkari said during an annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday (30 September).
According to the minister, the federal government is also looking to develop an ethanol economy in the South Asian nation, and more than 400 companies have already expressed their interest to meet the demand.
He also pointed out that ethanol is not only environmentally friendly, but also much cheaper than petrol and diesel, adding that the military should ban the use of diesel engine vehicles and replace them with trucks running on LNG, CNG and ethanol.
However, it was another announcement made by Gadkari that drew the attention of environmental campaigners, not only in India but across the globe. During his address, the minister promised to make the country’s national capital free of air, water and noise pollution over the next three years.
“Air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution are major concerns for the country. We will make Delhi free of air, water and sound pollution in the next three years,” he said.
Earlier this year, air quality technology company IQAir announced New Delhi as the world’s most polluted capital for the third consecutive year in 2020. According to the company, India’s capital city was over two times more polluted than Beijing last year, despite an 11 per cent reduction airborne particles due to nationwide COVID lockdowns.
