Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position India as the world’s leading hub for automobile manufacturing, green mobility, and infrastructure innovation at the International Value Summit 2025, held in New Delhi today.

India has now surpassed Japan to become the third-largest automobile market globally, and the government is targeting the No. 1 position within the next five years. “All major global automobile brands are now present in India. Their focus has shifted from merely assembling to exporting vehicles from India to the world,” said Shri Gadkari. He further emphasized that India’s two-wheeler sector alone exports over 50% of its production, showcasing the country’s growing global footprint.

On clean mobility, the Minister highlighted India’s leadership in electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel, and alternative fuels. “We have already launched hydrogen trucks, and pilot projects are underway across ten routes. Our aim is to lead the world in green mobility,” he stated. With support from companies such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Reliance, and Indian Oil, the government has provided ₹600 crore in grants to fast-track hydrogen infrastructure. He also noted advancements in new fuel options like isobutanol and bio-bitumen, which are currently under active trials.

India’s road infrastructure has also seen transformative progress. “India now has the second-largest road network in the world. We’ve brought travel times down drastically—Panipat to Delhi Airport now takes just 35 minutes instead of three hours,” he remarked. Key projects such as the Chennai-Bengaluru expressway and the ₹23,000 crore Bengaluru Ring Road are set to redefine connectivity and ease urban congestion.

Sustainability remained a central theme of the address. “We are converting waste into wealth. Over 80 lakh tonnes of waste from Ghazipur landfill have been used in road construction. We’ve reduced the height of the mountain by seven metres already,” said the Minister. He pointed to successful trials of bio-bitumen made from rice straw, which has shown better performance than petroleum-based bitumen and helps reduce stubble burning.

Shri Gadkari Ji also called for global partnerships in key innovation areas including precast road construction, tunnel engineering, hydrogen transport systems, and circular economy solutions. “We do not have a resource problem. Our roads are monetized, and our revenue is strong. What we need is your innovation, your technology, and your cooperation,” he urged international delegates.

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SR/GDH/SB