Government intends to position Indian automobile sector atop global market,states Nitin Gadkari
The Indian automobile industry, currently valued at around ₹22 lakh crore, has grown significantly since Nitin Gadkari took charge of the transport ministry in 2014. The industry, which is the largest manufacturing sector in the country, generates approximately 4.5 crore jobs and is a key revenue churner for the government.
One of the key strategies to drive the growth of the Indian automobile industry is scaling up production and market share. As the third-largest global automobile market and producer, India excels particularly in two-wheelers and commercial vehicles. The government encourages growth beyond domestic focus to boost exports and global competitiveness.
Another significant strategy is the promotion of alternative and cleaner fuels. To combat pollution from the transport sector, which contributes 40% of India's air pollution, the government promotes higher ethanol fuel blends, methanol, bio-diesel, bio-CNG, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel. GST reductions on ethanol fuels further incentivize cleaner fuel adoption.
Investment in automotive safety and modern technologies is another key area of focus. Safety regulations mandating technologies such as ABS, electronic stability control, and advanced driver assistance systems improve vehicle safety and efficiency.
Driver training and skill development are also crucial to addressing shortages of trained drivers, which improves road safety and transport efficiency, indirectly contributing to pollution reduction through better driving practices.
Lastly, large government investments targeting road safety and infrastructure enhancements, plus innovation in bioenergy sources like bamboo for power generation, support environmental goals.
These multi-pronged efforts in production capabilities, clean energy adoption, safety, and skill development form the backbone of India's strategy to become the world's largest automobile industry while addressing pollution challenges in the transport sector. The union minister has highlighted that the transport sector contributes to 40% of pollution in India and there is a rising demand for cleaner propulsion technologies like electric powertrain, CNG, and hybrid systems in India.
Sports can be an additional area where cleaner fuels can be promoted, following the government's initiative to encourage the use of cleaner and alternative fuels in vehicles. As the government aims to combat pollution from the transport sector, cleaner fuels like bio-CNG and electric vehicles could also be utilized in sports vehicles to reduce emissions.
The promotion of cleaner fuels in sports not only addresses the issue of pollution but also emphasizes India's commitment to global competitiveness, as cleaner sports vehicles could potentially attract various international sporting events.
