To facilitate the development of Motor Vehicles running on non-fossil fuels like CNG, BioCNG, LNG, EV, Biofuels, etc. the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has notified mass emission standards in respect of blends of ethanol with gasoline, flex-fuel, Biodiesel, Bio-CNG, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), blends of Methanol with gasoline, dual fuel, Hydrogen etc, according to a statement made in the just concluded winter session of the Parliament.
Further, the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Automobile & Auto Components incentivizes the Auto OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to accelerate the introduction of Flex Fuel vehicles in India.
Also, PLI scheme for Automobile & Auto Components incentivizes the Auto OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) is aimed to accelerate the introduction of Flex Fuel vehicles in India.
Apart from it, the Government vide GSR 1151(E) dated 29th November, 2018 had already notified norms for dual fuel use of CNG/Bio-CNG/LNG in Agricultural tractors, power tillers, Combined Harvestors and Construction Equipment Vehicles (CEV).
In addition, Gati Shakti National master Plan provides for the overall framework for the creation of a system for interconnected and multimodal infrastructure projects. Accordingly, concerned Ministries/Departments undertake projects taking into account available and planned infrastructure. Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs (CCEA), Government of India have approved development of 35 Multi Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) including one at Jammu to be undertaken by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
Development of MMLP is a key initiative of the Government of India to improve the country’s freight logistics sector by enabling efficient inter-modal freight movement to lower overall freight costs and time, provide efficient warehousing, improve tracking and traceability of consignments thereby enhancing the efficiency of the Indian logistics sector
Pertinently, India is one of the leading producers of biofuels in the world. The Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have procured ethanol from domestic producers and thereafter blended approx. 509 crore litres of ethanol in petrol during the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2022-23 and procured 25.35 crore litres of bio-diesel for blending with diesel till October, 2023 in the financial year 2023-24.
The Oil and Gas Marketing Companies (OGMCs) have sold 11,227 Tons of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) during the period 2022-23 and 9,548 Tons of CBG during the period April, 2023 to October, 2023. Government has notified Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan – Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana for promoting Second Generation (2G) ethanol production from cellulosic and lignocellulosic biomass including petrochemical route in the country by providing financial support for setting up 2G ethanol bio-refineries. While these steps are welcome, the government needs to expedite the process of MMLPs in Jammu and Kashmir.
