India will start blending compressed biogas with natural gas to boost domestic demand and cut reliance on natural gas imports, the government said in a statement on Saturday.

The mandatory phased introduction will start at 1 per cent for use in automobiles and households from April 2025, it said.

The share of mandatory blending will then be increased to around 5 per cent by 2028.

India, which is one of the world’s largest importers of oil and gas, ships in about half of its overall gas consumption and wants to cut its import cost.

The government also aims to have 1 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in aircraft turbine fuel by 2027, doubling to 2 per cent in 2028.

The SAF targets will initially apply to international flights, the statement said.

The steps are aimed at helping India achieve net zero emissions targets by 2070.

“CBG Blending Obligation will promote production and consumption of Compressed Biogas in the country,” the government said.

“The key objectives are to stimulate demand for Compressed Biogas in the city gas distribution sector, import substitution for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), saving in forex, promoting circular economy and to assist in achieving the target of net zero emission,” it added.