India, June 13 -- After months of being a vocal supporter of ethanol blending in petrol, union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said he had "signed the file" finalising regulations for use of 100 per cent ethanol in vehicles.

Speaking at a gathering in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Gadkari said "people used to laugh" when he spoke about this, but now ethanol could become a "viable alternative to petrol."

"Last night at 8 PM, I signed the file, finalising the regulations to legally authorise the use of 100% ethanol," Gadkari said, according to a video released by ANI news agency. "People used to laugh when I spoke of this dream, and some friends even criticised it.." he added.

The draft changes to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 aim to ...