Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways marked a decade of India’s commitment to sustainable energy at the 10th anniversary celebration of World Biofuel Day, held in Pune. The event, hosted by Praj Industries, brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators under the newly launched ‘Praj BioVerse’, an initiative symbolising India’s growing leadership in the global bioeconomy.

As part of the celebrations, Praj Industries officially launched ‘Praj BioVerse’, a forward-looking initiative aimed at uniting innovation, collaboration, and sustainability under one integrated bioeconomy ecosystem. The launch took place in the presence of Sanjay Kirloskar (President, MCCIA & CMD, Kirloskar Brothers), and Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Speaking at the event, Gadkari urged the industry to accelerate the transition to biofuels, highlighting the multiple benefits as reducing crude oil imports, boosting rural incomes, cutting emissions, and transforming agriculture. “Our farmers have become not food producer but also have become energy provider as they also fuel for aviation, construction equipment, and vehicles. The day we stop importing fossil fuels will mark a historic transformation,” he stated. He also highlighted that ethanol boost has helped the corn farmers to earn better price for their produce.

He further added, “Today, there is an imbalance in the rural economy, with agriculture contributing only 12 per cent to 14 per cent of the GDP, yet 65 per cent of the population still depends on agriculture and agro-based industries. The service sector’s share is increasing, but to strike a balance, alternative fuel sources are necessary. These sources will strengthen agriculture and enable farmers to become fuel producers, not just food producers. The automotive industry needs to develop vehicles that can run on alternative fuels, especially biofuel, which will also boost the rural economy.”

Gadkari informed about government’s efforts to diversify agricultural output toward fuel production. Initially, the idea of producing ethanol from maize faced criticism due to the ‘food vs fuel’ debate. However, the ethanol production has positively impacted the sector, corn MSP has risen, and corn acreage has increased significantly as a result. The MSP of corn was Rs 1,800 per quintal and the market price was Rs 1,200 per quintal. However, since ethanol was introduced, the price of corn in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has risen to Rs 2,600–2,800 per quintal. Because of ethanol, corn farmers are now getting better prices, he noted.

While commenting on future of sustainable energy, Gadkari stated that IsoButanol is emerging as an alternative to traditional diesel. He also emphasised ongoing efforts to develop and scale biodiesel, which offers a cleaner substitute for diesel engines. He noted that the burning of rice straw has significantly reduced, thanks to its use in biofuel production, a move that has helped combat air pollution in several regions.

 Gadkari also pointed out innovative infrastructure initiatives, mentioning that municipal waste is now being utilised to construct highways in multiple cities, turning urban waste into national assets.

 While emphasising the potential of bamboo cultivation, Gadkari urged Praj Industries to explore its potential in bioenergy applications. He also highlighted green hydrogen as the fuel of the future, requesting Praj to play a leading role in this transformative sector.

To celebrate the milestone, Praj also unveiled the memoir of its Founder-Chairman, Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, titled ‘Horizons Beyond Dreams … As Is What Is’, reflecting decades of pioneering work in green energy, circular economy, and rural-centric innovation.

Dr Pramod Chaudhari, Executive Chairman of Praj Industries, introduced the “Praj BioVerse” initiative, describing it as a movement that brings together the entire bio-economy ecosystem. This initiative aims to unite various stakeholders, promote innovation, provide mutual support, inspire each other, and facilitate knowledge sharing. By working together, they hope to explore new horizons for sustainable development globally.

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari addressing the event said, “I am delighted to launch Praj BioVerse, a unique movement that brings together innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in one powerful ecosystem. BioVerse is where ideas are transformed into solutions, where climate action walks hand-in-hand with economic growth, and where India’s leadership in the global bioeconomy takes centre stage. This is perfectly aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat — fostering inclusive growth and building a circular bioeconomy. In today’s changing geopolitical and trade environment, energy security is no longer optional. it is a strategic imperative. Our bioeconomy model, rooted in local systems and rural self-reliance, is both sustainable and scalable for nations across the world.”

 Chaudhari also said that we saw the Automotive Association of India pushing forward ethanol–diesel blends and fast-tracking certifications for biofuel technologies that meet the highest standards of performance, safety, and sustainability. From ethanol-powered bikes to next-gen engines, today’s exhibits show that technology and industry are ready to scale. But this transformation requires more than technology, it demands collective action. Innovators, researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers must come together as one.

Vikram Kasbekar – CEO, Hero MotoCorp said, “We were among the first in the country to develop a flex-fuel two-wheeler capable of operating on blends starting from E20. Since 2023, our entire portfolio has been E20-compliant. This is not just about technology — it’s about supporting the circular economy, benefiting farmers, and reducing our dependence on imported fuels. We have upgraded our technology so that modern ethanol-compatible engines deliver fuel efficiency comparable to traditional petrol engines. These vehicles are being well-accepted in the market and are running successfully.

Vikram Gulati – Country Head & Executive Vice President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor emphasised that today, most automotive companies — two-wheeler and four-wheeler alike — have introduced flex-fuel vehicles capable of operating on ethanol blends from E20 to E100. Yes, there are still some barriers, but we are overcoming them with strong policy support from the Government — whether through enabling CAFE norms and taxation structures for OEMs, or by creating the right environment for customers and the supply chain to adopt these fuels.

He said, “As we move forward, we must scientifically and globally recognise ethanol as a carbon-neutral fuel. This recognition must cross borders. In the coming years, economies will increasingly be driven by carbon trading. India has a huge opportunity which not only to use ethanol domestically and save billions in foreign exchange, but also to earn substantial carbon credits on the global stage.”

 In his address Sanjay Kirloskar – President, MCCIA & CMD, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd said, “If we are to reach the Prime Minister’s vision for 2047, India will require around 1,000 GW of generation capacity. Fossil fuels will have to be phased out, and we will need base-load power — which will likely come from nuclear. The dangers of fossil fuels are well recognised, and globally, countries are investing in wind, solar, and nuclear together. Europe has even implemented carbon border adjustment mechanisms that will affect exports from fossil-fuel-heavy economies, using the funds collected to invest in green technologies”.

He also stressed on importance of nuclear technology. Maharashtra is uniquely positioned to lead in nuclear technology — it houses most of the nuclear establishments, EPC contractors, consultants, and major equipment manufacturers like Godrej, Larsen & Toubro, and Kirloskar Brothers. If the state positions itself correctly, this can lead to manufacturing growth, high-tech jobs, and skills development, he said.

-Dipti Barve

dipti.barve@mmactiv.com