Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the need for a diversified, multi-fuel strategy to drive India’s transition toward sustainable mobility, stating that no single technology can address the country’s growing energy and transport demands.
Speaking at the two-day Green Transport Conclave 2026, organized in New Delhi by the Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) with support from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Gadkari underlined that India imports nearly 87% of its energy needs. He said this dependence highlights the urgency of achieving energy self-reliance through a mix of solutions including electric vehicles, hydrogen, and biofuels.
The minister stressed the importance of alternative fuels such as isobutanol blending and dimethyl ether (DME), along with biomass-based solutions. He also pointed to the potential of organic manure derived from industrial by-products like press mud and spent wash in enhancing soil health and supporting sustainable agriculture. Gadkari urged stakeholders to focus on improving biomass productivity to strengthen India’s clean energy ecosystem and advance the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Guest of Honour Manoj Kumar Singh, CEO, UP State Transformation Commission (STC), emphasized that India’s mobility strategy is evolving beyond mere electrification to a more integrated, multi-modal and multi-fuel framework. He highlighted the integration of EVs, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuels, and green logistics, along with the need to align road transport with logistics corridors and clean energy infrastructure to create a resilient and future-ready mobility framework.
The conclave brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to deliberate on key issues such as low-carbon transport policies, sustainable urban mobility, and decarbonization of long-distance and rural transport. Discussions also focused on improving freight efficiency across road, rail, and maritime sectors, as well as adopting advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, automation, and integrated fuel infrastructure.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and the Indian Federation of Green Energy. The agreement aims to promote the use of biochar and bio-bitumen in road construction, paving the way for more sustainable infrastructure development.
The conclave featured participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, industry representatives, and experts from sectors such as automotive, bioenergy, aviation, and logistics. Supporting organizations included leading companies like Maruti Suzuki India Limited and Toyota Kirloskar Motor, among others.
The event underscored the growing consensus that India’s path to green mobility will depend on a combination of technologies, policy support, and industry collaboration to reduce emissions and ensure long-term energy security.