(Commonwealth_India) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has outlined an ambitious plan to overhaul India’s transportation system, incorporating a mix of innovative and environmentally friendly ideas. His vision covers everything—from electric rapid transit and hyperloop corridors in bustling cities to ropeways and cable cars in remote, hilly areas. The main aim is straightforward but powerful: to reduce pollution, cut travel costs, and connect the country better, all while building modern infrastructure powered by clean, green technology.
Gadkari shared that 135-seater electric buses are currently being tested in Nagpur. These buses can zip along at speeds of 120 to 125 km/h and can recharge fully in under an hour. With air conditioning and comfy aircraft-style seats, these buses are set to run soon on key routes like Delhi to Jaipur and Mumbai to Pune, giving travelers a cleaner and more comfortable way to get around.
Looking ahead, Gadkari is pushing forward with some futuristic ideas like hyperloops, pod taxis, and pillar-supported transit systems in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru. These designs aim to provide faster, more efficient, and cleaner alternatives to traditional metro systems. At the same time, in mountainous spots like Kedarnath, ropeways and funicular railways are being prioritized, with hundreds of projects underway to ensure safe and reliable travel in tricky terrain.
India’s road network has also seen major growth during Gadkari’s time. The national highways have stretched from about 91,000 kilometres back in 2013–14 to over 146,000 kilometres today. The government is now working to build 100 kilometres of highway every day and upgrade 25,000 kilometres of two-lane roads into four-lane highways. High-speed expressways have also taken off, growing from just 93 kilometres in 2014 to nearly 2,500 kilometres now.
Gadkari stressed the need to use modern construction methods like precast concrete and AI-powered monitoring to make roads safer and longer-lasting. New safety measures, including three-foot crash barriers, are also being put in place to protect everyone on the road. Plus, there’s a big focus on the environment, with plans to plant between 200 and 250 million trees along highways, backed by a “tree bank” initiative run with the environment ministry.
A big piece of Gadkari’s plan is to cut down India’s dependence on fossil fuels by encouraging vehicles that can run on ethanol and methanol blends. Big names in the auto industry, like Tata, Toyota, Hyundai, and Mahindra, have already thrown their support behind this change. Since transportation is responsible for nearly 40% of India’s air pollution, switching to cleaner fuels is expected not only to clear the air but also to cut the country’s huge fuel import bill, which currently runs into around ₹22 lakh crore every year.
Gadkari’s vision is a comprehensive and optimistic plan aimed at transforming India’s transport system for the future. By focusing on clean energy, smarter infrastructure, and better connectivity, this roadmap aims to boost the economy while protecting the environment, setting India on the path to becoming a global leader in sustainable transportation.
