Reliance Industries has now set its eyes on the dry land of Kutch. It is aiming to set up a bio-fuel plant for blending petrol with 5 per cent permissible ethanol.
A senior RIL executive confirmed this development, but refused to divulge further details.
"We have major plans to enter into the bio-fuel sector and are looking at various options, including the production of bio-fuel from jatropha," the executive said.
It could not be confirmed as to how Reliance plans to produce ethanol in the arid region.
One of the most popular ways of producing ethanol is from molasses extracted from sugarcane.
"There has been some research on producing ethanol from jethropa. However, the tests have not been confirmed," said a scientist who has been working with the Gujarat state government for studying crops in Kutch.
Another view by the industry experts is that the sugar industry in South Gujarat is not