New Delhi, Sep 16 (KNN) Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious vision to establish India as the world’s leading hub for automobile manufacturing, green mobility, and infrastructure innovation.

The announcement came during the International Value Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

India, which has recently overtaken Japan to become the world’s third-largest automobile market, is now aiming for the top position within the next five years.

“All major global automobile brands are present in India, and their focus has shifted from assembling vehicles to exporting them worldwide,” Gadkari said. He noted that the two-wheeler sector alone exports more than half of its output, underscoring India’s rising global footprint.

Highlighting clean mobility initiatives, the Minister said India is taking the lead in electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel, and alternative energy.

Pilot projects for hydrogen-powered trucks are already underway on 10 routes, supported by domestic companies such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Reliance, and Indian Oil.

The government has allocated Rs 600 crore in grants to accelerate hydrogen infrastructure. Trials with alternative fuels such as isobutanol and bio-bitumen are also in progress.

On infrastructure, Gadkari stressed India’s rapid transformation in road connectivity. The country now has the second-largest road network in the world, with travel times significantly reduced.

For instance, the Panipat–Delhi Airport stretch now takes 35 minutes, down from three hours. Upcoming projects, including the Chennai–Bengaluru expressway and the Rs 23,000 crore Bengaluru Ring Road, are expected to ease congestion and improve urban mobility.

Sustainability featured prominently in his address. Over 80 lakh tonnes of waste from Delhi’s Ghazipur landfill have been repurposed for road construction, lowering the landfill’s height by seven metres.

Trials of bio-bitumen derived from rice straw have also shown promising results, offering a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based products while addressing stubble burning.

Calling for international collaboration, Gadkari urged global players to contribute innovation and technology in areas such as precast road construction, tunnel engineering, hydrogen-based transport, and circular economy solutions.

“We do not have a resource problem. Our roads are monetised, and revenue is strong. What we need is your innovation, your technology, and your cooperation,” he told delegates.