New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said that public transport may open soon with some guidelines while cautioning towards maintaining social distance and adopting all safety measures like hand wash, sanitizing, face masks, etc while operating buses and cars.
The Union Transport Minister was addressing the members of Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India through video conferencing. In his virtual interaction, he assured the bus and car operators of the country that the government is fully aware of their problems, and will fully support them to mitigate their issues, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways said.
Gadkari said that he is in regular touch with the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister in this regard.
He further said the Ministry is looking at adopting the London model of public transport, where government funding is minimal and private investment is promoted.
He also pointed out towards the poor standards of Indian bus and truck bodies which he said, work for only 5-7 years, whereas the European models last for upto 15 years.
The minister also emphasised upon adopting good practices by European countries in the transport space, which he said will also be economically viable for indigenous industry in the longer run.
Speaking on the financial condition of the Indian market during the ongoing pandemic, he said, all stakeholders will have to work together to combat it.
He pointed towards a very good business opportunity being offered by world industry, which is trying to wriggle out of the Chinese market, the Ministry said.
“Indian industry should grasp this opportunity to invite those foreign companies to invest with them in India,” Gadkari said.
Apart from that, members of the confederation made suggestions for improving the condition of public transport which include extending interest payment exemptions, restarting public transport, extending age, life limit, deferring state taxes, extending MSME benefits, extending insurance policy validity, etc.
