Gadkari calls for electric public transport in PPP mode

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for a professionally managed public transport system based on electricity and created in public-private partnership mode. Addressing ‘INSIGHT 2022’, the International Conference on Sustainable and Innovative Finance for Green and Healthy Transportation he said capital investment is not an issue if there is a correct model to implement the project. He said efforts should be made to discourage the use of personal vehicles. Appreciating the London transport model, the minister said people want more comfort at affordable prices. He proposed use of card or QR code-based entry-exit systems in place of physical ticket systems in the buses to control losses to the bus corporations and promote ease of travelling. He emphasized that with coming of electric buses there will be reduction in pollution and also the country will be able to reduce its imports of diesel and crude oil. Gadkari said India is trying to make the automobile industry into a Rs 1.5 trillion industry as it has the maximum employment potential, generating 40 million jobs in the country, and further this industry has given maximum revenue to state and central governments. Gadkari said green hydrogen is the future of mobility. He proposed setting up an e-road from Delhi to Jaipur.