Mobility revolution: Union minister Nitin Gadkari unveils futuristic roadmap; pitches electric buses, ropeways and hyperloops
Union minister
Nitin Gadkari
has outlined a bold vision to transform India's transport landscape, with a focus on electric rapid mass transport, hyperloop corridors in urban centres, and ropeway and cable-car connectivity in remote regions.
In an interview with news agency PTI, Gadkari said the government is working on multiple futuristic mobility solutions that aim to cut pollution, improve connectivity, and reduce logistics costs.
'We are driving innovation. A revolution in mass mobility is underway,' he said, underlining how technology, sustainability, and accessibility will shape the next phase of India's infrastructure growth.
According to the minister, work is underway on 360 ropeway and funicular railway projects in hilly terrains, including Kedarnath, with 60 already in progress.
These systems, designed for steep inclines, are seen as essential for providing safe and efficient transportation in remote areas.
At the urban level, Gadkari revealed that pilot projects like Metrino pod taxis, hyperloop systems, and pillar-based transport networks are planned for Delhi and Bengaluru. 'Days are not far off when cities will have cable-run buses and electric rapid mass transport with aeroplane-like facilities,' he said.
He also confirmed that tenders have been floated for 135-seater electric buses in Nagpur, equipped with premium seating, AC, and the ability to travel at 120–125 km/hr. These buses, capable of recharging in 30–40 minutes, will initially operate on trial and then be introduced on intercity routes like Delhi-Jaipur and Mumbai-Pune.
On the road infrastructure front, Gadkari reiterated the ministry's goal of building 100 km of highways per day and upgrading 25,000 km of two-lane roads to four lanes.
National highways have expanded from 91,287 km in 2013-14 to 1,46,204 km today, he claimed.
High-speed corridors have also grown substantially, from 93 km in 2014 to 2,474 km now.
To improve safety and quality, new technologies like precast construction, AI-based monitoring, and 3-ft road barriers are being rolled out, as per the minister. The government also plans to plant 20–25 crore trees along highways, with a proposal for a 'tree bank' in advanced stages with the environment ministry.
On the green energy front, Gadkari said 11 companies, including Tata, Toyota, Hyundai, and Mahindra, have agreed to manufacture flex-fuel vehicles. These vehicles can run on ethanol or methanol blends, helping to reduce India's reliance on fossil fuels.
India's transport sector contributes nearly 40 per cent to the country's air pollution, Gadkari noted. He said the switch to green mobility would not only bring down emissions but also slash India's fuel import bill, currently around Rs 22 lakh crore.
He further stated that improved infrastructure and alternative fuels would help bring logistics costs down from 14 per cent to 9 per cent of GDP by year-end.
Earlier, Gadkari recently said India could become a net energy exporter in 6–7 years, driven by advances in ethanol, biodiesel, and hydrogen fuel technologies.
Stay informed with the latest
business
news, updates on
bank holidays
and
public holidays
.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Syama Prasad Mookerjee symbolised unwavering commitment to India's integrity: Arunachal Guv
Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd) said on Sunday that Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a shining example of unwavering commitment to India's integrity, cultural pride, and democratic values. Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted Mookerjee's immense contributions to nation-building. Addressing the commemoration of the 125th Birth Anniversary of Mookerjee in Itanagar, the Arunachal Pradesh Governor passionately addressed the youth of the northeastern state, declaring them the torchbearers of Mookerjee's vision. He affirmed that their strength is in their talent and capacity to dream big for their community, state, and country. The Governor urged the youth of the state to embrace deep pride in their traditional heritage, art, culture, land, and languages, while simultaneously showing equal courage in excelling across science, sports, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Lt. Gen Parnaik said that Mookerjee was far more than a political figure. He was a visionary, an esteemed educationist, and a courageous nation-builder driven by a profound belief in 'One India, Great India'. He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951, laying the ideological groundwork for national unity and integrity at a time when the country was still healing from partition. The Governor recounted Mookerjee's unwavering opposition to Article 370 and his powerful call for "One Country, One Head, One Flag, One Constitution" in 1953, a stance that marked a pivotal moment in Indian political history. He noted that this very dream of equality, national integration, and constitutional unity was realised under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, with the abrogation of Article 370 and the full integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the Indian Union. Recalling the pivotal role of Mookerjee in the Constituent Assembly, the Governor said that he persistently advocated for minority rights and the preservation of regional languages to ensure a Constitution acceptable and applicable to all communities. In Imphal, Manipur Governor Bhalla, on the occasion, described Mookerjee as a towering figure in the history of modern India, a distinguished patriot, freedom fighter, visionary leader, and an intellectual of remarkable stature. As one of the key architects of independent India, Mookerjee played a significant role in shaping the country's political and educational landscape, the Governor said. He was also a strong advocate for national integration and worked tirelessly to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation. The Governor also recalled Mookerjee's pivotal role in the integration of Jammu and Kashmir. His firm stance was encapsulated in his well-known statement: 'Ek deshmein do Vidhan, do Nishan, do Pradhan nahichalenge' — reflecting his unwavering commitment to the principle of one nation, one constitution. Bhalla appealed to everyone to remember and draw inspiration from Mookerjee's legacy of selfless service, unwavering commitment to national unity, and fearless pursuit of constitutional integrity.
The Hindu
19 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Ponnam writes to BJP state president asking Centre's contribution to Telangana
HYDERABAD Making light of the BJP state president N. Ramchander Rao's letter to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy seeking implementation of all the poll promises, Minister for BC Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar asked him to explain the BJP's contribution to Telangana in the last 11 years. 'People who could not secure a few rupees to Telangana are advising us in governance,' the Minister said in an open letter to Mr. Ramchander Rao. 'Isn't it strange that you are writing letters to us when you cannot ensure justice from the Centre?' he asked. Mr. Prabhakar described Mr. Ramchander Rao's letter as 'laughable' and said those giving sermons should introspect the failures in their governance. 'From farmers to youth, women to backward communities, every section of society has been deceived,' he said in the letter, calling the BJP's unfulfilled promises a 'Ramayana of failures'. Citing the BJP's 2019 election manifesto, the Minister pointed out that the promised monthly pensions to small and marginal farmers above 60 years had not been implemented. He also questioned the unfulfilled assurance of increasing the Kisan Samman Nidhi amount and reminded the BJP of its failure to generate the 2 crore jobs annually as promised in 2014. 'You came to power shedding tears over price hikes. But under your rule, petrol rose from ₹70 to ₹110, diesel from ₹50 to ₹100, and LPG cylinders from ₹400 to ₹1,100,' he said accusing the Modi government of economic mismanagement and burdening the common man with unchecked inflation and rising cesses. The Minister went on to ask, 'What exactly have the eight BJP MPs and two Union Ministers from Telangana done for the State in the last 11 years.' The cancellation of the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project and the relocation of the proposed Kazipet coach factory to Gujarat are the gifts of BJP to Telangana.
Hans India
19 minutes ago
- Hans India
Will Chirag Paswan contest Bihar Assembly elections? Union Minister drops a clear hint
Amid intense speculations of Union Minister for Food Processing Chirag Paswan throwing his hat into the ring, the LJP (Ram Vilas) chief on Sunday dropped enough hints of contesting the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. Addressing a public rally in Bihar's Saran district, the Union Minister said that he would contest the elections for his brothers, sisters and mothers and also vowed to put the state on the path of development. Paswan said that whenever he comes to Bihar, he is asked this question, and today he is declaring that he and his party will take up this electoral challenge. In the 'Nav Sankalp Mahasabha' organised at Rajendra Stadium in Chhapra, the Union Minister said that he will contest elections on all 243 seats of Bihar. He said that he would contest elections on all seats as 'Chirag'. The LJP chief also shared a video clip of his election address and wrote on X, 'Today, from this sacred land of Saran, I am declaring before all of you that yes, I will contest the election. I will contest the election for the people of Bihar, for my brothers, for my mothers, for my sisters, and we will create a system in Bihar, we will build a Bihar that will truly take the state forward on the path of development.' He, however, clarified that LJP will remain a part of the NDA alliance. Without taking anyone's name, Paswan alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to stop him from coming to Bihar, but added that he is not going to be afraid of anyone. He said that he wouldn't compromise on the idea of 'Bihar First, Bihari First' and was also ready to sacrifice his life for this. On the issue of caste reservation, Paswan said that for a long time, rumours have been spread that it will be abolished, but as long as he is alive, no power in the world can abolish it. Targeting the Opposition, he said that those who talk about development in Bihar today are the same people who ruined Bihar in the 1990s.
