Nitin Gadkari advocates use of pollution-free methanol as fuel

The Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has said India must use pollution-free methanol as fuel, like Sweden, which is switching over to it from diesel.

He said that in a bid to reduce pollution at sea, the Centre has initiated talks with engine manufacturers to make bio-fuel compliant engines for ships.

Gadkari also announced that the government is developing a river traffic control system on the lines of air traffic control.

"We must use pollution-free methanol as fuel that is available at Rs 22 a litre. In Sweden, they are changing from diesel to methanol," he said on Friday on the second day of 'Sagar Discourse', currently underway in South Goa.

The programme organised by Forum for Integrated National Security is being attended by representatives from 22 countries.

The government is committed to reducing pollution at sea, for which initial talks with engine manufacturers, including Wartsila and Cummins, have begun to make bio-fuel compliant engines for Indian shipping vessels, Gadkari said.