Indian Railways to promote biodiesel

India’s Railway Ministry is in the process of formulating a biodiesel policy to promote the use of the fuel, Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu said. “The policy will be based on a feasibility study to upgrade the processing and production of biodiesel,” he said. Saying that the production of the fuel was at its nascent stage, he said that it should be strengthened by ensuring constant supply of raw materials. “Oil from jatropha, pungam, neem, soya, palm and fish can be used to produce biodiesel and wear and tear of locomotive engines have been found to be lesser when compared to diesel.” He said that India’s railways have been importing diesel fuel worth Rs 6,000 crores (US$1.53 billion), which could be reduced if biodiesel production was popularized and effectively marketed. (September 27, 2007)