Mumbai: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari wants to get rid of more than 36 crore petrol and diesel vehicles in India, and slash GST on hybrid vehicles.
“One hundred per cent, it is difficult but not impossible. This is my vision,” Gadkari said in an interview with PTI.
Highlighting the fact that India spends Rs 16 lakh crore on fuel imports, Gadkari felt that money could be used towards improving farmers’ lives, enhancing village prosperity and generating youth employment.
It’s an ambitious goal, but he couldn’t specify a timeline.
“I cannot give you a date and year for this transformation to take place as it is very difficult. This is difficult but not impossible,” said Gadkari, one of the most respected ministers in PM Narendra Modi’s Union Cabinet known for walking the talk.
He revealed that a proposal to reduce GST on hybrid vehicles to 5% and to 12% for flex engines has been forwarded to the Finance Ministry for consideration.
Gadkari, who has been backing alternative fuels since 2004, said things will change in the next 5-7 years.
He pointed out the increasing trend of electric vehicles on Indian roads and transition towards alternative and biofuels in the automotive industry.
“I roam around in a car that runs on hydrogen. You can see electric cars in every other household. People who used to say this was impossible, have changed their views now and started believing in what I have been saying for the last 20 years,” Gadkari said.
Companies like Bajaj, TVS and Hero are planning to manufacture motorcycles with flex engines, he said, adding that auto rickshaws will also use similar technology.
He also noted that advancements in vehicle technology are seen in the introduction of hydrogen-powered cars by Tata and Ashok Leyland, as well as trucks running on LNG/CNG.
“There are 350 factories across the country of bio-CNG… Definitely, a revolution is taking place. The fuel imports will end, and this country will become self-reliant – Atmanirbhar Bharat. I strongly believe in this,” Gadkari hoped.
