Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that the Centre’s proposed introduction of ethanol-based cooking stoves could offer much-needed relief to households grappling with rising LPG prices while reducing the country’s dependence on imported cooking fuel.
Addressing a public programme in Nagpur, Gadkari said the government is working to promote ethanol-powered cooking technology as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional LPG cylinders. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing India’s energy security and shielding consumers from fluctuations in global fuel prices.
Ethanol, a biofuel derived from sugarcane, maize and agricultural residues, is being projected as a cleaner cooking fuel. Advocates of the technology believe its adoption can help reduce harmful emissions while providing households with a sustainable energy option.
The proposed move is also expected to boost the agricultural sector by creating additional demand for sugarcane, maize and other feedstocks used in ethanol production. Increased utilisation of crop residues could provide farmers with an additional source of income while promoting better waste management practices.
India has witnessed rapid growth in its ethanol programme over the last decade. Ethanol blending in petrol has increased from around 1.5 per cent in 2014 to nearly 20 per cent by 2025, a milestone the government considers a significant step towards reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Gadkari also linked the initiative to ongoing volatility in global energy markets. He noted that disruptions in crude oil supplies and price movements, including those arising from the Iran conflict, have contributed to higher fuel costs. According to him, wider adoption of ethanol-based cooking solutions could help cushion consumers from such external shocks while encouraging the use of domestically produced alternative fuels.