During the second Ideas of India Summit hosted by the ABP Network, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, stated that hydrogen and green fuels are the future of the Indian transportation industry. The minister also highlighted the fact that India imports ₹16 lakh crore worth of fossil fuels every year, but he believes that farmers will soon be able to produce green fuel and green hydrogen, reducing this dependence. Additionally, he stated that the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to lithium-ion batteries is imminent.
Nitin Gadkari reiterated his belief that the cost of lithium-ion batteries will decrease in the near future. He went on to state that India is poised to become a net exporter of lithium and a significant global player. The minister also expressed his contentment with the development of highways in the country, highlighting that the new infrastructure will revolutionize public transportation and reduce travel time between major cities.
The minister expressed his confidence in the NDA and BJP forming the government in the upcoming elections in both the Centre and Maharashtra. He emphasized the importance of performance audit of the ministers rather than financial audit and stated that the government has created a positive environment that will lead to growth. However, he acknowledged the failure of his ministry and the government in reducing the accident rate on Indian roads. The minister noted that people still do not follow basic road safety rules such as wearing seat belts, helmets, and stopping at red lights. He suggested that road safety education should be introduced at the primary level to create awareness among Indians from a young age.
Gadkari also said that his target is to build 60 km of roads every day and announced that new facilities like helipads and drone pads will be built on new toads for quick and emergency transport. The second edition of the ‘Ideas of India’ summit, organized by ABP Network, aimed to bring together experts from various fields to discuss India’s current position in the global landscape. With India’s economy rapidly growing and navigating through various challenges, including the ongoing pandemic and geopolitical tensions, the summit focused on the theme of ‘Naya India: Looking Inward, Reaching Out.’ The event also aimed to provide insights into emerging trends and disruptions in various sectors, allowing attendees to gain a better understanding of the prevailing issues and challenges.
The ABP India Summit’s second edition is happening during a time of significant global change, where India’s role in the changing global landscape is crucial. With the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections coming up in a few months, topics such as geopolitical tensions, inflation, unemployment, and digitization have become important areas of discussion. The two-day summit aims to shed light on India’s current position amidst such turbulence and provide a platform for experts dealing with these issues at the strategic and core levels to share their insights.
