The use of methanol as an alternative fuel can vastly reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil, according to VK Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog.

Saraswat said, “Notwithstanding the impact of other alternate fuels, we expect a 30 per cent reduction in the country’s crude oil dependence because of the increased use of methanol as a transport fuel.”

In response to a query on how the methanol blending programme of the government will correspond with the Ethanol blending programme, Saraswat said, “Both programmes involve blending conventional fuels with alternative fuels. They can run parallel.”

The NITI Aayog is going to propose a road map to achieve its target of increasing the penetration of methanol as an alternative fuel to petrol and diesel by December end. Saraswat said: “The roadmap should be applicable from January 2018.”