India seeks a cost-effective EV technology for mass rapid transportation: Gadkari

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari said in a statement that India is looking for a cost effective electricity-based technology for mass rapid transportation systesms. The ministry is planning to undertake the development of ropeways as an alternate transport solution in the hill and congested, urban areas.

Addressing a US audience on March 4, 2022, Gadkari said, "Rope ways, cable car and particularly I'm very much clearly interested to work on the technology of light rail transport,” adding that some of the US companies have also approached him with the technology. 

“We are in search of the technology, which can be cost-effective and which we can make in India for mass rapid transport (system) on electricity,” Gadkari said as he briefed Indian-Americans from Silicon Valley on the steps India is taking to bolster its physical infrastructure, in particular the transportation system.

"The government is planning 11 ropeway projects to boost connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Sikkim. Port connectivity projects are being implemented to enable swift movement of cargo connecting all ports and inland water waste minerals to increase the efficiency of domestic and international trade routes," he said.

As many as 65 projects with a length of 2,050 kilometers are planned for port connectivity which are in various stages of development. “India is also developing 29 emergency landing facilities for fighter planes on national highways. They are of strategic importance from a defence perspective,” he added. 

Gadkari urged US companies to come and invest in India. “Technocrats like you can participate in the drive to develop the best system for India. India is allowing 100 percent FDI in the road sector and there are huge opportunities for joint ventures," Gadkari said.

“US-based companies can collaborate with our research and development reports towards EV factory technology and the retrofitting industry. The government is strongly encouraging solar and the best charging mechanism for electric mobility,” he said.

The Government of India is working on the battery-swapping policy and standards for EV batteries, he said, calling it a huge opportunity for all the technologies as batteries swapping is a completely new sector. “Both countries have a huge pool of young and talented engineers working on the most advanced technology,” Gadkari said.  

“I sincerely hope you will come forward and form joint ventures to realize the benefit of advanced technology in the area of construction, alternative, prevail, and agriculture practices,” he further said.

Gadkari said that he is very much confident that we will make the road infrastructure in India equal to that of the USA by the end of 2024.