New diesel technologies cleaner, fuel efficient: Patel

Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Praful Patel today said there was a "misconception" in India that diesel vehicles pollute, while many advanced countries were moving away from petrol to diesel technology.

"While in Europe and many advanced countries we are seeing that a lot of automobile manufacturers are moving away from petrol technology to diesel versions. We in India still have misconceptions," he said at the 11th Auto Expo here.

Underlining that the automobile industry needs clarity on this subject, he said, "In India, it is misunderstood that diesel technology is not clean, is more polluting and what not? But the fact is that the newer diesel technologies are much cleaner, they are much more fuel efficient...."

In India most of the public transport systems run on diesel which is heavily subsidised. In view of rising petrol prices, passenger car manufacturers, including the luxury segment are moving fast towards the diesel versions. In the recent past, the demand for diesel cars has shown a firm trend.

However, green activists have been voicing their concerns over increased use of subsidised diesel in the car segment.

Last year, then then Environment minister Jairam Ramesh had kicked up a controversy by saying that the use of diesel guzzling vehicles like sport utility vehicles (SUVs) on Indian roads was "criminal".

Patel also said manufacturers and industry have this apprehension as to what will be the way forward and what will be the policy of the government. "I would like to assure everybody that we appreciate the stand of the industry," he added.