"With increase in technological improvements and expansion of public transport as well as private vehicles, the use of energy from renewable sources in transport is one of the most effective tools, which will reduce harmful particulate emissions, making fuel green friendly and reducing the overall carbon footprint.
Further with health awareness and large number of studies suggesting/attributing harmful effects of diesel particulate emission it is necessary to reduce the overall carbon footprint and encourage use of this green fuel" Mr. Chaturvedi explained.
At present in India bio-diesel is very limited even though it is cheaper than HSD.
It is desired that heavy polluters like the railways, Mining, Coal, STU, fleet operators, ports and industrial consumers should be directed to blend minimum 10% biodiesel. Which can be made available within the country.
To bring substantial reduction in the particulate emission, it is essential that all heavy polluting industries should have 10% bio-diesel blending mandatory. A 10% blending mandate will bring down the emission levels from these industries immediately," the Association said in its petition.
The BDAI, in its petition, mentions international practices and has cited the practices of UK and European Union where directives on promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources were issued way back in 2001. The Association has sustained its stand based on latest three reports (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation) on UK & European Transport.
The BDAI seeks implementation of the pending National Policy on Bio-fuels. In the year 2009 the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India also came out with a National Policy on Bio-fuels. The said policy envisages to facilitate and bring about optimal development and utilization of indigenous biomass feedstock for production of bio-fuels.
The Policy also envisages development of next generation of more efficient bio-fuel conversion technologies based on new feedstock. The Policy sets out the vision, medium term goals, strategy and approach to bio-fuel development, proposes framework of technological, financial and institutional interventions and enabling mechanism, however the policy is yet to be notified.
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