India Targets No. 1 Position in Global Automobile Manufacturing - Nitin Gadkari

• 16 Sep 2025
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On 15 September 2025, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, shared plans to make 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. 

India has become the third-largest automobile market in the world, surpassing Japan. Now, within the next five years, the government is aiming for the No. 1 position. At the summit, Shri Gakari said, “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.” 

Further, he laid emphasis on the fact that our nation’s two wheeler sector alone exports approx. 50% of its production. This showcases the global footprint of our nation. Regarding clean mobility, Shri Gadkari highlighted our nation’s leadership in hydrogen fuel, alternative fuels and electric vehicles. He stated, “We have already launched hydrogen trucks, and pilot projects are underway across ten routes. Our aim is to lead the world in green mobility.”

The government received support from companies like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Indian Oil and Reliance and provided Rs. 600 cr in grants to fast-track hydrogen infrastructure. The Minister noted advancements in new fuel options like bio-bitumen and isobutanol, which are under active trials at the moment. 

The road infrastructure of India has witnessed a transformative progress. The Minister said, “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.” The congestion will be eased and the connectivity will be redefined by significant projects like Chennai Bengaluru Expressway and Rs. 23,000 cr Bengaluru Ring Road.

Sustainability was a central theme of the address. Shri Gadkari said, “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.” He highlighted successful trials of bio-bitumen made using rice straws that showed better performance than petroleum based bitumen and helped reduce stubble burning.

The Minister also called for international collaborations in key innovation areas like precast road construction, hydrogen transport systems, tunnel engineering and circular economy solutions. He urged global delegates, “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.” 

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)