New Delhi, Nov. 2 -- Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday called for greater diversification of agriculture towards the energy and power sectors, saying India needs to expand the use of indigenous alternative fuels to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports, which cost the country around Rs 22 lakh crore.

Speaking after inaugurating the Enrich 2026 Experience Zone at KPMG's Energy and Resources Forum, Gadkari said the use of ethanol, compressed biogas (CBG), green hydrogen and other alternative fuels could strengthen India's energy security while creating additional income opportunities for farmers.

"Our policy is import substitute, cost effective, pollution free and indigenous," he said, adding th...