New Delhi (NVI): Industry should use waterways as a mode of transportation for reduced cost of goods and become competitive in the export market, Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today emphasised today.
Speaking at a conference on ‘Developing A Roadmap for Low Carbon & Sustainable Mobility in India’, Gadkari said, “this is the appropriate time. We have the best technology, economic viability and we need public private investments. To support these, we have government policies.”
He said the government has already started the process of introducing broad gauge metro in railways using the already existing railway network.
He also invited the private sector to explore and invest in this sector.
“This model can be given to private sector to run these metros,” he said.
“The most economically viable transport is water transport and public transport on electricity,” he added.
Gadkari said the Delhi-Mumbai express highway, part of the 22 green highway projects, will be completed in next 3 years and will reduce travel distance by 280 kms.
“In long term, LNG should be used in trucks which will reduce the cost by 40 percent as compared to diesel and CNG for city buses,” he added.
He also invited the private sector to come forward to invest in conversion of CNG from stubble and solid waste.
“Government is also working on adopting bio-aviation fuel as fuel option which will be cheaper than petroleum aviation fuel,” he said.
He urged FICCI to develop a policy for next 25 years focusing on cost-effective, pollution free, best technology options, ecology and environment.
Highlighting the potential of E-vehicles in India, Gadkari said the government is planning to introduce 10,000 electric buses and government will support the e-vehicle sector.
“By using the world’s best technology, we can see a reduction of 10 percent in the logistics cost and will also help in reducing pollution, creation of new jobs and overall development of the economy,”he added.
He also emphasised on different options such as conversion of waste and sewage into biofuels, utilisation of wasteland for Jatropha, promotion hydrogen fuel cells, alternative fuels in rural sector to contribute towards livelihood generation and waterways as a long-term solution.
