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India Will Lead Global Auto Industry In 5 Years, Overtaking US And China: Gadkari
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Nagpur: Union road transport and highways minister,
Nitin Gadkari
, on Saturday pledged to dedicate his future efforts to ending farmers' suicides, and even projected India's ascent to the number one position in the global automobile sector.
"I have worked for infrastructure, roads, ports, and industry, but from now on, I want to ensure that no farmer is forced to take his own life," the senior BJP leader said at a city event to mark the 11 years of the Narendra Modi-led govt at the Centre.
Speaking during an interview organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party and conducted by senior journalist Uday Nirgudkar in Nagpur, the city MP laid bare his feelings for rural India.
"Suicides by farmers reflect a systemic failure. My work ahead will be centred on transforming agriculture into an enterprise of dignity, self-reliance and income. Ab Tak Trailer Tha, Picture Abhi Baki hai (The work done so far is just a beginning)," he said, while also outlining reforms in irrigation, crop diversification and rural infrastructure.
Gadkari highlighted efforts taken for irrigation schemes like Baliraja Jal Sanjeevani Yojana and the massive funding for several irrigation projects in Vidarbha like Jigaon and Gosikhurd.
"We are ensuring that water reaches Vidarbha and Marathwada, where thousands of farmers once relied on migration or drought-prone cropping," he said. Citing improved irrigation and water conservation measures, he claimed that previously migrating communities such as the Dhangars are now harvesting three crops a year.
Switching gears to India's growing might in the auto sector, Gadkari declared, "India has overtaken Japan to become the third-largest automobile market in the world.
In five years, we will overtake the United States and China. I assure you of this." He pegged the sector's current valuation at Rs22 lakh crore, up from Rs13 lakh crore in 2014, attributing the growth to shift towards electric vehicles, ethanol, green hydrogen, and alternative fuels.
"Our domestic auto sector has created 4.5 crore jobs so far. Once we reach the top spot globally, we will generate over 10 crore jobs," the Union minister claimed.
On India's export strength, he noted, "Companies like Bajaj, TVS, Hero, and Honda are exporting 50% of their production."
The senior minister in PM Modi's cabinet revealed that top global manufacturers now view India as a hub for clean vehicle production. "The chairman of Mercedes-Benz has informed me that all of their new electric vehicle platforms will be manufactured in India," he said while emphasizing, "This is not just industrial growth; it's a social revolution."
He also highlighted India's potential in reducing logistics costs through highway expansion and multi-modal connectivity. "We have brought logistics costs down from 16% to near 10% and will reach 9% within a year. This alone will boost our exports by 1.5%," he said.
Citing ongoing trials of hydrogen trucks and bio-bitumen roads, Gadkari said India is pushing towards developing sustainable infrastructure. "India imports Rs22,000 crore worth of fuel.
Our aim is to become an energy-exporting nation," he said, emphasising India's competitive edge with falling logistics costs and expanding multimodal transport hubs.
On the top five sectors where the govt delivered the most, Gadkari said, "Airports have doubled, new trains like Vande Bharat are popular, expressways and tunnels have transformed connectivity, tourism has boomed, and infrastructure in education and healthcare has grown significantly.
Twenty-five crore people have risen above the poverty line, and we have empowered women and farmers through direct support schemes.
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As far as regional development is concerned, Gadkari said that Gadchiroli has attracted Rs7.5 lakh crore worth of investments and is poised to become Maharashtra's most advanced district within five years. For Washim, he announced a medical equipment manufacturing centre that will directly employ 3,000 local youth.
Calling Maharashtra's progress under a double-engine govt "unparalleled," Gadkari concluded by reaffirming his commitment to inclusive development. "From building roads in tribal areas to empowering women and diversifying agriculture, our govt has ensured that every corner of India moves forward," he said.
Reflecting on his own political journey, Gadkari said, "I have never asked for any post. The party gave me everything. My real satisfaction lies in the work done by me and my team for the country. My commitment is to the ideology and the people. I will accept whatever the party would order, as me and CM Devendra Fadnavis are products of the party and lakhs of its workers who sacrificed everything for the party."
