Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said segregated municipal waste could be converted into hydrogen to power Delhi’s buses
July 7, 2026: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said Delhi’s municipal waste could one day be converted into hydrogen fuel to run the city’s public buses. Speaking at a youth conclave organised by the Delhi BJP, he said segregated garbage can be processed through biodigesters to generate hydrogen, creating a clean and sustainable fuel source. Gadkari also said he envisions a future where vehicles use water to generate hydrogen for transportation, adding that technological advancements would make such innovations possible.
Highlighting the benefits of waste management, Gadkari said nearly 8 million tonnes of garbage from Delhi’s landfill sites have already been utilised in expressway construction. He added that the government aims to eliminate garbage dumps across the country by 2027. The minister also cited the example of his parliamentary constituency, where the municipal corporation reportedly earns around ₹325 crore annually by selling treated wastewater, demonstrating the economic potential of waste recycling.
Responding to criticism over the mandatory use of E20 ethanol-blended petrol, Gadkari rejected claims that it damages vehicles or reduces performance. He challenged critics to identify a single vehicle that had developed problems due to E20 fuel and alleged that misinformation was being spread through paid campaigns. Stressing the need for cleaner energy, he said India spends nearly ₹22 lakh crore every year on fuel imports and that expanding ethanol blending is essential for reducing dependence on fossil fuels while lowering carbon emissions.