India, March 14 -- At a time when global supply disruptions and rising prices are heightening concerns over India's dependence on imported fossil fuels, scientists are highlighting Dimethyl Ether (DME) as a promising clean-burning alternative to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Developed and scaled by researchers at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory in Pune, the technology could significantly reduce India's LPG imports while supporting the country's push for energy self-reliance.

India currently imports more than 80% of its fossil energy, making it vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical chokepoints. LPG, widely used as a cooking fuel under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana that provides subsidised gas connections t...