Pradhan launches bio-diesel blended fuel for diesel consumers

Petroleum ministry had recently permitted direct sale of Bio-Diesel B100 to bulk consumers including Indian Railways, shipping and state road transport corporations

Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday launched High Speed Diesel (HSD) blended with bio-diesel to be used by diesel consumers across retail outlets of the three Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). This was part of his ministry's celebrations on the World Bio-Fuel Day today.

"On this occasion, the ministry announced marketing of HSD blended with Bio-diesel in selected retail outlets of OMCs in New Delhi and Vishakhapatnam by Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL), in Haldia by Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) and in Vijayawada by Indian Oil (IOC). It is a path-breaking step in India's retail sector for launching Bio-diesel B5 blended to diesel consumers," the ministry said.

The ministry had recently permitted direct sale of Bio-Diesel B100 to bulk consumers including Indian Railways, shipping and state road transport corporations. The government is also promoting Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme where ethanol blending in petrol is going up from five per cent to 10 per cent based on availability.

"Promoting and encouraging Bio-fuels will not only reduce the import of fossil fuel but also save foreign exchange and lay emphasis on "Make in India" mission. Biofuels are renewable, biodegradable, sustainable and environment-friendly. More importantly, these programmes will connect agrarian community with direct cash flow," the statement read. Internationally, 10 August is observed as "World Bio Diesel Day" to mark the demonstration of Diesel Engine by Rudolf Diesel on various vegetable oils in 1893.