Gadkari encourages India to adopt alternative fuels in mining

Union minister Nitin Gadkari urged mining equipment companies in India to explore alternative fuels, particularly biofuels and liquefied natural gas (LNG). He noted the decreasing cost of lithium-ion batteries and highlighted the shift towards electric vehicles. At the inauguration of GMMCO Limited's expanded facility, Gadkari emphasized the need for equipment that does not rely on petrol or diesel. He mentioned that companies like JCB are already developing vehicles that use compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG. GMMCO's managing director expressed optimism about the mining sector's growth, projecting an increase in coal production by 2030. Caterpillar is also developing machinery powered by electric and hydrogen technologies.