Ethanol blending a step towards diversification of agricultural sector: Nitin Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday (October 1, 2026) debunked claims that blending ethanol with petrol was damaging motor vehicles, asserting that it facilitated diversification of the agriculture sector.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 'Bihar Investor Summit 2026: The Emerging Investment Destination of India', Mr. Gadkari said that since 2022, four crore four-wheelers and 20 crore two-wheelers have been running on petrol mixed with ethanol.

"I challenge anybody to come up with the complaint that his or her vehicle has suffered damage on this account. Of course, those with vested interests may have some other story to tell," said Mr. Gadkari, who holds portfolios of Road Transport and Highways.

"We must understand that the decision to blend ethanol with petrol was taken with a view to diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sectors... Our farmers shall no longer remain 'anna data' (food producers) but also become 'urja data' (energy producers)," he added.