Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has presented a bold vision to make India the world’s leading automobile hub, with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.
India’s ambitious automobile goals
New Delhi: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced ambitious plans to make India the world’s largest automobile industry in the next five years. India, currently ranked third, is behind China* and America in terms of market size.
Addressing the Times Green Drive Conclave & Awards 2024, Gadkari stressed the importance of this industry in the Indian economy and its potential for global leadership. He pointed out that the Indian automobile market, worth ₹22 lakh crore, is growing rapidly, while China and the US lead with ₹47 lakh crore and ₹78 lakh crore respectively.
A vision for self-reliant India
Gadkari said, “Our dream is that India’s **automobile sector** should become the largest sector in the world. “This industry is the backbone of a self-reliant India, the largest exporter, highest GST contributor and generating more than 4.5 crore jobs.”
He stressed the need to adopt future fuels like Ethanol, Methanol, Biodiesel, Bio-LNG, Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen. “Investing in alternative fuels will not only reduce dependence on imports but will also tackle pollution,” he said.
Dealing with air pollution and fuel dependence
The minister stressed the urgent need to reduce fossil fuel imports, which costs India ₹22 lakh crore annually and is a major source of air pollution. He suggested using India’s surplus food grains to produce biofuel, calling it a cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous solution.
Gadkari, who himself drives a hydrogen-powered car, said, “Pollution is a serious issue and alternative energy is the solution.” He said that this fuel can also benefit rural and tribal communities by increasing agricultural income.
Driving change for a sustainable future
India’s automobile sector is set to play an important role in the country’s economic and environmental transformation. With an emphasis on sustainability and innovation, the industry will achieve new milestones, making India a global leader in automotive technology.
