logo
Mobility revolution: Union minister Nitin Gadkari unveils futuristic roadmap; pitches electric buses, ropeways and hyperloops

Mobility revolution: Union minister Nitin Gadkari unveils futuristic roadmap; pitches electric buses, ropeways and hyperloops

Time of India19 hours ago
Union minister Nitin Gadkari unveils futuristic roadmap
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
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Foreign funds buy 14.6k cr stocks in June
Foreign funds buy 14.6k cr stocks in June

Time of India

time34 minutes ago

  • Time of India

Foreign funds buy 14.6k cr stocks in June

NEW DELHI: Foreign investors put in Rs 14,590 crore in the equity market in June, marking the third straight month of investment, supported by improving global liquidity conditions, easing geopolitical tensions, and rate cut by RBI. However, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) turned net sellers in July and pulled out Rs 1,421 crore in the first week of the month, data with the depositories showed. In near term, FPI flows are expected to remain choppy on account of tariff deadline developments and US data volatility, Vaqarjaved Khan, senior fundamental analyst, Angel One, said. FPIs buying will hinge on Q1 results. "If the results indicate earnings recovery, that will be positive," V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist, Geojit Investments, said. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now

Stock Radar: Poly Medicure stock looks attractive for short-term gains; still down 30% from highs
Stock Radar: Poly Medicure stock looks attractive for short-term gains; still down 30% from highs

Economic Times

time35 minutes ago

  • Economic Times

Stock Radar: Poly Medicure stock looks attractive for short-term gains; still down 30% from highs

Poly Medicure Ltd, part of the medical equipment industry, is showing signs of bottoming out after falling more than 30% from traders with a high-risk profile can look to buy stock for a target of Rs 2,400-2,610 in the next few weeks, suggest medical equipment stock hit a high of Rs 3,350 on 1st July 2024, but it failed to hold the momentum. It closed at Rs 2,268 on July 2, 2025 which translates into a downside of

Veena visits Bindhu's kin, assures aid
Veena visits Bindhu's kin, assures aid

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Veena visits Bindhu's kin, assures aid

Kottayam: A day after opposition parties staged statewide protests demanding her resignation, health minister Veena George visited the family of D Bindu, the 52-year-old woman who had died after a portion of a building at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, collapsed three days ago. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now George reached Bindu's residence in Thalayolaparambu early on Sunday and spent time with her grieving family, including Bindhu's mother, husband, and children. Bindu had been staying at the hospital to care for her daughter, who was admitted as an inpatient, when she was trapped under the debris. The minister assured the family that the govt would cover the full cost of their daughter's surgery, with further treatment decisions to be taken after a medical board meeting on Monday. She added that the state would also consider the family's other demands, including compensation and a job for Bindu's son. "As far as I'm concerned, this family's sorrow is my sorrow. I met her husband, mother, and other relatives and shared their grief. The govt will stand by them in every possible way," George said, adding that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan would announce the relief measures after a state cabinet decision. Bindu's husband, Visruthan, said that the family was hopeful about govt support and stated that the family is satisfied with the interventions made by the authorities. CPM state committee member K Anil Kumar, who accompanied the minister, also promised assistance for completing the family's house construction. Meanwhile, Kottayam MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan demanded Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the family, a permanent job for Bindu's son and free treatment for her daughter. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At a press conference, he said the hospital management committee hadn't met in two years. "Yet funds were spent. The public deserves an explanation," he said. He also called for the immediate commissioning of 12 operation theatres, highlighting that only four are functional and two of those lack sterility. "Ward 26 is leaking, a new building caught fire in 2023 and safety regulations were ignored," he alleged. UDF leader Ramesh Chennithala, who also visited Bindu's home, demanded a safety audit of all state govt hospital buildings. He criticized the health minister for fearing protests and avoiding a daylight visit to Bindu's residence. "People are unhappy with the health department's reckless actions," he stated. "There's no medicine or basic supplies, forcing doctors to treat poor patients only if they bring their own. We have good doctors, but what can they do without medicines?"

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store