Green hydrogen is a 'sustainable alternative' to fossil fuels, according to Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, because it will be used not only in transportation but also in the chemical and fertilizer industries in the near future.
"Green hydrogen is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels like coal and crude oil," Gadkari said at the 121st annual session of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Green hydrogen will be the primary energy source in the aviation, railway, road transport, chemical, and fertilizer industries in the near future."
According to Gadkari, India has the potential to become a global manufacturing hub and green hydrogen exporter. Hydrogen would be less expensive and more convenient for domestic and community-level applications.
The government is concentrating on hydrogen fuel cell technology for heavy-duty long-distance trucks, buses, marine, and aviation applications.
The government has prioritized alternative fuels and biofuels such as ethanol, methanol, Bio-CNG, LNG, electric, and green hydrogen. Notably, India's net-zero ambition has been identified as critical by the Niti Aayog.
It has estimated that the country's green hydrogen market will be worth $8 billion by 2030. Gadkari advocated for the use of technology and alternative materials in the construction and infrastructure sectors, stating that the Central Road Research Institute and the Indian Institute of Petroleum had collaborated to develop a bio-bitumen from rice straw that could be used in the future to reduce carbon footprint.
With India importing 50% of its domestic bitumen demand at a cost of over Rs 25,000 crore per year, he believes that deploying waste-to-wealth technology can result in forex savings.
