Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said India faces a “significant” shortfall in the production of bitumen and aviation fuel, stressing the need to boost domestic biofuel production to reduce imports and achieve self-reliance.
Addressing a function in Lonavala near Pune, Gadkari said the country requires around 120 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually, while domestic petroleum companies have the capacity to produce about 50 lakh tonnes.
“As a result, we have to import 60 to 70 lakh tonnes of bitumen every year. The price of bitumen has increased from Rs 45 per kg to Rs 80 per kg,” he said.
The Union Road Transport and Highways said India was spending substantial foreign exchange on the import of bitumen and other petroleum products, making it imperative to explore alternative and indigenous sources of production.
Referring to the aviation sector, Gadkari said the country was also facing a shortage of aviation turbine fuel.
“In the next couple of days, five flights operating from​Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said India faces a “significant” shortfall in the production of bitumen and aviation fuel, stressing the need to boost domestic biofuel production to reduce imports and achieve self-reliance.
Addressing a function in Lonavala near Pune, Gadkari said the country requires around 120 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually, while domestic petroleum companies have the capacity to produce about 50 lakh tonnes.
“As a result, we have to import 60 to 70 lakh tonnes of bitumen every year. The price of bitumen has increased from Rs 45 per kg to Rs 80 per kg,” he said.
The Union Road Transport and Highways said India was spending substantial foreign exchange on the import of bitumen and other petroleum products, making it imperative to explore alternative and indigenous sources of production.
Referring to the aviation sector, Gadkari said the country was also facing a shortage of aviation turbine fuel.
“In the next couple of days, five flights operating from ​Latest News [ SOBAN NEWS: International and National ]
