Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on 25 May unveiled an indigenous ethanol-based cooking stove technology at an event in Nagpur, claiming it can generate cooking flames at a lower cost than commercial LPG cylinders. The minister also announced a ₹40 crore initiative to foster scientific curiosity among India's youth.

How the Technology Works

According to Gadkari, the stove operates on a blend of ethanol and water rather than conventional cooking gas. 'By mixing 7 per cent ethanol in water, stove-like flames are generated, and it is cheaper than cooking gas. It is indigenous to our country,' the minister said. The technology is described as entirely domestically developed, aligning with India's broader self-reliance push in the energy sector.

India's Ethanol Push: The Bigger Picture

The announcement is consistent with Gadkari's long-standing advocacy for ethanol as a cost-effective and cleaner substitute for fossil fuels. India currently imports nearly 87 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making energy security a central policy concern. The government has aggressively scaled ethanol blending in petrol, with levels rising from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 20 per cent in 2025 — a trajectory Gadkari has championed across transportation and energy sectors. The proposed cooking stove technology extends this vision to the domestic household segment, where millions of families remain dependent on LPG.

Potential Impact on Households

If successfully commercialised and scaled, the ethanol-water stove could offer a cheaper, locally produced alternative to conventional cooking gas for millions of Indian households. Notably, this comes at a time when LPG prices remain a persistent concern for lower- and middle-income families. The innovation could also further support domestic agriculture, as ethanol production in India is largely sugarcane-based, creating a direct link between rural livelihoods and clean-energy adoption.

₹40 Crore for Youth Science Initiative

Alongside the energy announcement, Gadkari unveiled a ₹40 crore project aimed at nurturing innovation and scientific temperament among children and young Indians. 'As technology is evolving, we are also working on a project worth ₹40 crore to ignite the love for science in the youth and children,' he said. Further details on the project's structure and implementing agency were not immediately disclosed.

What Comes Next

The ethanol stove technology is yet to be commercially scaled or independently verified for safety and efficiency standards. Regulatory clearances, supply-chain development for ethanol distribution at the household level, and consumer adoption will be key hurdles before the technology can meaningfully challenge LPG's dominance in Indian kitchens. Industry observers will watch for a formal rollout plan in the months ahead.