New Delhi
Gadkari Urges Indian Auto Sector to Prioritise Safety; Reaffirms Belief in Hydrogen at Qualcomm Snapdragon for India Auto Day
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urged the Indian automotive industry to combat air pollution and enhance road safety while promoting hydrogen fuel adoption at the Times Network event. He emphasized the sector's economic significance and the urgency of addressing road safety, particularly for two-wheelers, highlighting investments in accident-prone areas and vehicle safety standards. Gadkari advocated for alternative fuels to reduce emissions and fossil fuel imports, mentioning the National Green Hydrogen Mission's ambitious targets. He called for collaboration and further investment in innovation, driver training, and sustainable practices to elevate India's auto sector.
Times Drive Desk
Updated Jul 31, 2025, 08:04 AM IST
Gadkari Urges Indian Auto Sector to Prioritise Safety; Reaffirms Belief in Hydrogen at Qualcomm Snapdragon for India Auto Day
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called on the Indian automotive industry to play a leading role in curbing air pollution and improving road safety, while accelerating adoption of hydrogen fuel, at Times Network Presents Snapdragon for India Auto Day 2025, hosted by the Times Network in partnership with Qualcomm.
People Also Search
What are the expected benefits of India's National Green Hydrogen Mission?
How is India planning to address air pollution from the transport sector?
What advancements are being made in electric vehicle (EV) technology in India?
What role does flex-fuel technology play in India's energy strategy?
What initiatives are being taken to improve road safety in India?
Speaking to an audience of auto industry leaders, startups and global tech executives, Gadkari underlined the sector’s critical role in India’s economy from job creation and GST revenue to helping the country surpass Japan to become the world’s third-largest automotive market.
“Road safety is non-negotiable,” the minister said, highlighting that 45% of road deaths in India involve two-wheelers. He stressed the importance of engineering safer roads and vehicles, implementing better enforcement, and educating people about traffic laws. “We have identified 77 high-fatality stretches across national highways and are investing Rs 40,000 crore to eliminate accident-prone black spots,” he said.
Gadkari also spoke about the Bharat NCAP vehicle safety star ratings and increasing global confidence in India’s testing infrastructure, which has started attracting foreign automakers to certify vehicles here. “Today, all cars made in India are being built to global safety standards,” he noted, adding that features like mandatory ABS for two-wheelers and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in trucks are paving the way for safer mobility.
On air pollution, Gadkari reiterated that over 40 per cent of emissions in Indian cities are linked to transport. He pushed for the adoption of alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, LNG, CNG, biodiesel, electric and green hydrogen. Highlighting the economic challenge of fossil fuel imports costing Rs 22 lakh crore annually, he said: “We must turn to indigenous, pollution-free fuels. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future.”
According to the minister, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, targets 5 million metric tonnes of hydrogen production per year by 2030. This could reduce fossil fuel imports by Rs 1 lakh crore and cut CO₂ emissions by 50 million tonnes annually. “We have already allocated Rs 500 crore to trial hydrogen trucks across 10 routes,” he announced, naming Greater Noida–Delhi–Agra, Mumbai–Pune Expressway and Kochi–Thiruvananthapuram among the corridors. Nine hydrogen refuelling stations will be set up along these routes, he added.
Gadkari praised the auto sector’s innovation efforts and design excellence, encouraging continued investment in sustainable, world-class products. He also urged industry players to focus on driver training, citing a shortage of 22 lakh trained drivers. “We are setting up 1,600 driver training centres to ensure safety begins behind the wheel,” he said.
In closing, Gadkari called for collective action. “Let’s think together, work together, and grow together to make India’s auto industry a Rs 75 lakh crore powerhouse,” he said. “It is not impossible. With your talent, commitment and innovation, we can lead the world.”
Also Read
Log in to post a comment.
End of Article
Trending
KTM 450 RC Unveiled at EICMA 2026: Gets 56bhp Parallel-Twin Engine, India Launch Ruled Out
VinFast VF MPV 7 EV Gets a Price Cut of Over 4 Lakh: Check New Price
Volkswagen Virtus Facelift Teased Ahead of India Launch: Here's What to Expect
TVS Unveils Four New Models at EICMA 2026, Including Three Electric Scooters
Mercedes-Benz GLC EV Launched in India at Rs 78.50 Lakh: Gets 94kWh Battery, 490bhp Power
Honda Alpha EV Set to Launch in India on December 2: Expected Design, Features and Range
Hero Vida UBX 06 Electric Motorcycle Debuts at EICMA 2026: Features, Range and More
Popular
STAY UPDATED Get the latest news from Times Drive
