Need to boost biofuel production to cut imports, achieve self-reliance: Gadkari

National 30 May, 2026

Need to boost biofuel production to cut imports, achieve self-reliance: Gadkari

Business To Business, Pune, 30^th May, 2026: Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said India faces a substantial shortfall in the production of bitumen and aviation fuel, underlining the need to expand domestic biofuel production to reduce import dependence and strengthen self-reliance.
Speaking at an event in Lonavala near Pune, Gadkari said India requires approximately 120 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually, while domestic petroleum companies currently have the capacity to produce only about 50 lakh tonnes.
According to the minister, this production gap forces the country to import between 60 lakh and 70 lakh tonnes of bitumen each year. He also noted that the price of bitumen has risen significantly, from about ₹45 per kilogram to ₹80 per kilogram.
Why bitumen matters
Bitumen is a key material used in:

Road construction and maintenance.
Highway and expressway projects.
Waterproofing and infrastructure applications.

As India continues to expand its road network and transport infrastructure, demand for bitumen has increased substantially.
Focus on biofuels
Gadkari reiterated his long-standing advocacy for alternative fuels and biofuels, arguing that greater domestic production could help:

Reduce imports of petroleum-based products.
Lower fuel costs over time.
Improve energy security.
Support rural economies through agricultural feedstocks.
Reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts.

The minister's remarks come amid broader government efforts to promote ethanol blending, compressed biogas, sustainable aviation fuel, and other renewable fuel technologies as part of India's energy transition strategy.

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National 31 May, 2026

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Need to boost biofuel production to cut imports, achieve self-reliance: Gadkari

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Need to boost biofuel production to cut imports, achieve self-reliance: Gadkari

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