Latest news with #24thDarbariSethMemorialLecture
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Delhi Confidential: First-hand Learning
Even Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has first-hand experience of traffic logjam on the Manesar route. At The Energy and Research Institute's (TERI) 24th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, Gadkari said he was once stuck for three hours on his way to Manesar to attend a wedding. Gadkari jokingly said that he swore that day not to take the route again. He also recounted that when he was new to Delhi, he would often get stuck in traffic at Dhaula Kuan near the airport, and after becoming a minister, he had to put in a lot of effort to decongest traffic at the spot. Deputy head of Russia's Mission in India, Roman Babushkin, on Wednesday began his 90-minute-long media interaction in New Delhi with 'shuruaat karenge', quickly adding 'Shree Ganesh karenge'. On being asked about Russia's support to India's air defence system, he said 'you mean Sudarshan Chakra' as declared by PM Narendra Modi in his Independence Day speech. 'Next time, ask in Hindi, I can answer better,' he told the mediapersons. Amid the uproar over the Constitution amendment Bills tabled in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the internal dynamics of the TMC were also on display. The party was the first to storm the well of the House when Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Bill. TMC member Kalyan Banerjee rallied the party's MPs on to the Opposition side of the well. TMC MP Mahua Moitra and a few party MPs entered the well on the Treasury side. A few minutes later, Banerjee, too, came to the Treasury side and it was at this moment that papers were thrown at Shah by some women MPs, leading to a near scuffle between TMC and BJP MPs. Not long ago, a war of words between Moitra and Banerjee had ended up with TMC chief Mamata Banerjee replacing the party's leader in the House and also its chief whip.
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Business Standard
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Lack of green H2 infra key issue in expanding clean transport: Gadkari
Shortage of hydrogen filling stations and the lack of transportation infrastructure for the fuel are major challenges in expanding the green public transport network, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said on Wednesday. 'In the coming days, green public transport is our future. The biggest problem is the hydrogen filling stations and transport of hydrogen in which there needs to be a lot of work done,' he said while addressing the 24th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi. Gadkari underlined the need to shift away from private vehicles by offering airline-like facilities in public transport at lower costs. He cited the example of Nagpur's flash-charging electric bus system, which he said is more comfortable and cheaper than diesel-fuelled buses. The minister suggested that municipal waste could be converted to green hydrogen to make it cheaper and more viable. Gadkari also stressed that building 'smart villages' is as important as developing smart cities. Deploying new technologies in critical areas can ensure rural growth along with creation of employment opportunities, he said. He also said India must strive to become energy self-sufficient, moving from being a net importer to a net exporter of energy. While traditional power companies are under financial stress, the expansion of solar energy and nuclear power could help strengthen the sector, he added.
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Business Standard
13 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Lack of hydrogen infra hurdle in expanding green public transport: Gadkari
Shortage of hydrogen filling stations and the lack of transportation infrastructure for the fuel are major challenges in expanding the green public transport network, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said on Wednesday. 'In the coming days, green public transport is our future. Hydrogen buses are currently running on routes such as Delhi–Agra, Pune–Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram–Kochi. However, the biggest problem is the hydrogen filling stations and transport of hydrogen in which there needs to be a lot of work done,' he said while addressing the 24th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in New Delhi. Gadkari underlined the need to shift away from private vehicles by offering airline-like facilities in public transport at lower costs. He cited the example of Nagpur's flash-charging electric bus system, which he said is more comfortable and cheaper than diesel-fuelled buses. The minister suggested that municipal waste could be converted to green hydrogen to make it cheaper and more viable. Gadkari also stressed that building 'smart villages' is as important as developing smart cities. Deploying new technologies in critical areas like water, land, and forests can ensure rural growth along with creation of employment opportunities, he said. He also said India must strive to become energy self-sufficient, moving from being a net importer to a net exporter of energy. While traditional power companies are under financial stress, the expansion of solar energy and nuclear power could help strengthen the sector, he added.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gadkari calls hydrogen ‘fuel of the future'; pitches solar as key to India's energy roadmap
New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said hydrogen can transform India's energy sector and make the country a global exporter of clean fuel if costs are brought down to one dollar per kilogram. Speaking at the 24th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Gadkari described solar as a critical energy source and termed hydrogen the 'fuel of the future'. 'Today, hydrogen costs around 5 dollars per kilogram. If India can bring this down to 1 dollar per kilogram, we won't just achieve energy independence, we can become a global exporter of clean energy ,' he said. The event, themed 'Green Infrastructure: Building a Sustainable Transport Future for India,' was presided over by Gadkari and featured the memorial lecture delivered by International Solar Alliance Director General Ashish Khanna. 'India's innovation, institutions, and implementation capability are shaping sustainable infrastructure that can serve as replicable models for the Global South,' Khanna said. Concluding the event, TERI Director General Vibha Dhawan said, 'The legacy of our Founder is not a monument of the past, but a compass for the future. It reminds us that the path for progress must be lit by the light of sustainability, guided by inclusivity, and strengthened by innovation'.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India can match oil-producing nations with cheap hydrogen: Nitin Gadkari
Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday (August 20, 2025) said India can transform from being an energy importer to a global exporter if it can cut the cost of hydrogen production to one dollar per kg. Delivering the 24th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture at The Energy and Resources Institute, the minister said that at present, hydrogen costs about $5-6 per kg, making it expensive compared to conventional fuels. 'If we succeed in bringing it down to $1 per kg, India will be in a position similar to today's oil-producing countries,' Mr. Gadkari said while stressing that hydrogen would play a decisive role in shaping the energy future. The minister said the biggest hurdle lies in setting up hydrogen filling stations and developing systems to transport the fuel. 'These areas need urgent and extensive work,' he said. Explaining the potential of using waste for energy, Mr. Gadkari said municipal solid waste could be a game-changer. 'If we segregate waste, extract organic matter and feed it into biodigesters, it produces methane. Instead of converting methane into CNG, if we use it to produce green hydrogen, the country's municipal waste alone could generate very cheap hydrogen,' he said. He predicted that in the years ahead, disputes may even arise over waste as it will become a valuable resource. 'If technology works in our favour, this transformation will happen. Hydrogen is the fuel of the future,' he said. Mr. Gadkari said the key to large-scale investment lies in economic viability. 'If the internal rate of return is strong, investment will never be a problem. What we need is proven technology, raw material availability and a market for the final product. Without cost-effectiveness, new technology won't be useful,' he said. Mr. Gadkari said hydrogen will replace fossil fuels. 'It would not only be critical for transport but also find applications in pharmaceuticals, chemicals and steel. Trains will run on it, airplanes will fly on it and dependence on fossil fuels will end,' he said. He said the future of transport and industry would be built on electric vehicles, biofuels and hydrogen. 'If these are adopted on a wide scale, we will steadily move toward carbon neutrality. This will create jobs, protect the environment and accelerate development,' he said. Highlighting India's rise in the global automobile market, the minister said the country recently moved up from the seventh to the third position, overtaking Japan. 'The American automobile industry is worth ₹78 lakh crore, China's ₹49 lakh crore and India's ₹22 lakh crore. A few days ago, the global chairman of Mercedes told me they will manufacture electric Mercedes cars in India,' he added. Mr. Gadkari said 17% of India's land is classified as wasteland and it could be used to plant bamboo. 'Bamboo can be used as a substitute for coal in power plants. It is not only cheaper than coal but also cleaner. This will provide employment to crores of people,' he said. Mr. Gadkari said such green initiatives could drive India towards self-reliance. 'A green revolution can make Atmanirbhar Bharat a reality. We can become a five trillion-dollar economy and the third-largest in the world. This is within our reach,' he said.
