"Gadkari initiates nationwide safety campaign on roadways, emphasizing the need for behavioral adjustments"
Gadkari Highlights Growth and Sustainability in India's Auto Industry
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari recently addressed the Snapdragon Auto Day, emphasizing the growth of India's automobile industry, the government's focus on road safety initiatives, and the support for alternative fuels.
Gadkari highlighted that India is now the third-largest automobile industry globally, contributing a significant Rs 22 lakh crore to the economy and supporting over 4 crore jobs. He also noted that Indian-made cars now feature global safety standards, and international automakers are testing vehicles in India.
On road safety, Gadkari launched the "Brake the Habit" campaign by Times Network, aimed at behavioural change among drivers through awareness and engagement. The ministry is investing Rs 40,000 crore to improve accident-prone highways, redesigning 77 high-risk corridors under the Zero Fatality Corridor project.
Regarding alternative fuels, Gadkari stressed the government's commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which cause 40% of transport-sector air pollution. He laid out a plan to adopt various sustainable fuels including ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG, CNG, electric, and hydrogen. He highlighted India's semiconductor and automotive electronics strengths as key enablers for electric, connected, and autonomous vehicles, and stressed the importance of innovation in chip design and software.
In addition, the Indian government plans to open 1,600 new driver training centers across the country to address the shortage of around 22 lakh skilled drivers in India. These new centers aim to create over 15 lakh new jobs and focus on talent development for the automobile industry.
An example of infrastructure reuse for waste reduction is the Ghazipur landfill, where municipal waste is being used for road construction, demonstrating the progress made in using alternative fuels like bio-bitumen.
Gadkari did not mention any specific technology to be used in the growth of the industry, but his address underscored the government's proactive role in supporting the auto industry's transition towards intelligent, sustainable mobility while prioritizing road safety and environmental goals.
Trials for hydrogen-powered trucks have begun in India, with support from multiple companies, indicating a potential for further industry growth in the years ahead. The auto industry in India generates the highest GST revenue for the country, making it a critical sector for the nation's economy.
The Union Minister's address shed light on the potential growth of India's automotive industry, particularly in the adoption of sustainable fuels such as ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG, CNG, electric, and hydrogen, which could be aided by the country's semiconductor and automotive electronics strengths.
Moreover, the minister's emphasis on the automotive industry's contribution to the nation's finance sector, with automobiles being the highest GST revenue generator in India, signifies the importance of the smartphone industry's growth in transportation, perhaps through innovative connectivity and autonomous vehicle technologies.
