Responding to the concerns regarding the ill effects of dumping of li-ion battery waste during the session, Gadkari emphasized the government’s promotion of a circular economyfor waste recycling, which was brought forward during the budget session by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this year.These initiatives encompass car scrapping, rubber recycling and the usage of recycled plastic in the construction of roads.
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Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan cited a research report during the question hour, outlining the adverse health effects on workers involved in lithium-ion battery manufacturing and the environmental impact of dumping these batteries after their life cycle. Gadkari responded that there is no such report with the centre and if anything of such sort comes to their notice then it will be taken seriously and will be addressed promptly.
“We will take serious note of the issue and work out recycling of lithium-ion battery waste,” he added.
Gadkari further stated that India aims to become a leading exporter of electric cars, buses, and trucks in the next five years. He then stressed on the need to reduce fossil fuel imports, which cost over Rs 16 lakh crore annually, and acknowledged the pollution challenges faced by cities like Delhi. He also highlighted that Jammu & Kashmir possesses the sixth-largest reserve of lithium-ion, and India currently imports 1,200 tonnes of lithium-ion.
The MoRTH minister also spoke about the cost advantages of electric vehicles, with the cost of running an electric vehicle being significantly lower than that of petrol or diesel vehicles. At present, the cost difference between EVs and petrol/diesel-powered vehicles stands at Rs 10 for EV for the same distance run by a traditional ICE vehicle for Rs 100-110. With inputs from PTI.