Centre considering standards for higher bio-fuel usage: Gadkari

The union shipping ministry was planning to roll out standards for higher levels of bio-fuel usage, Minister Nitin Gadkari said here on Wednesday.

"Presently, there is a standard for up to 20 percent of mixing bio-fuels. We are trying to increase the same and in the next two months and will come out with standards for higher levels," Gadkari, who also holds road transport and highways portfolio, told the media after visiting Emami Agrotech plant.

"In phases, we will try to reach 100 percent," he said.

The minister said widespread adoption of bio-fuel will help the country save forex outgo and help control pollution. The centre is trying to take up a global standard on bio-fuels' usage in India.

Apart from the cost saving aspect, Gadkari said he was trying to formulate policies to push bio-fuels to farmers.

"Bio-diesel is cheaper than normal petrol and diesel and so I want that more and more farmers should get benefit of this," the minister added.

The Bureau of Indian Standards has been asked to come up with standards for higher usage of bio-diesels in automobiles, locomotives, heavy engineering machines and generators.