Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that India is considering increasing its ethanol blending target to more than 20 per cent. Speaking at the Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit in Guwahati, yesterday, he also said that the country has already achieved a 19.6 per cent ethanol blending rate. Mr Puri added that despite developmental challenges, all fossil fuel production companies in India are expected to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the Centre’s commitment to strengthening the state’s energy infrastructure. He said, at the last Advantage Assam Summit, the Ministry of Petroleum announced plans to extend a 1,600 km gas grid from Barauni to Numaligarh.

The session was organized as a strategic forum to strengthen Assam’s role in India’s Act East Policy. It focused on enhancing regional connectivity, boosting trade, and fostering cross-border collaboration, reinforcing Assam’s position as the gateway to the policy.