During a recent public interaction, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, affirmed that he would not permit the introduction or launch of driverless cars in India. Gadkari made this assertion while addressing the escalating road safety...
During a recent public interaction, Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, affirmed that he would not permit the introduction or launch of driverless cars in India. Gadkari made this assertion while addressing the escalating road safety concerns in India at the Zero Mile Samvaad hosted by IIM Nagpur. He mentioned that his decision was aimed at safeguarding the jobs and livelihoods of drivers.
India stands as a significant provider of jobs for drivers in the commercial sector, owing to the extensive network in transport, tourism, and logistics. The emergence of driverless cars could potentially lead to job losses for drivers, contingent upon the technology and infrastructure’s development. However, Gadkari has categorically dismissed the prospects of introducing driverless cars with his recent statement.
Nitin Gadkari, a distinguished guest at the IIM Nagpur event, addressed several issues. Apart from expressing concerns about potential job losses due to driverless cars, Gadkari spoke about embracing diverse technologies, expanding national highways, standardizing safety and emission norms, and promoting the “Make-In-India” initiative.
Under Gadkari’s leadership, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has brought about significant changes in the automotive and transport sectors. Some of these reforms include mandating dual airbags, ABS, and reverse parking sensors in passenger cars and introducing Fastag for more efficient toll collection on highways.
The minister outlined forthcoming reforms, including reducing accident-prone areas on highways, imposing higher fines, adopting advanced technology for hydrogen-powered cars, and standardizing six airbags. Notably, several automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and Tata Motors are gradually making six airbags standard across their range of passenger cars.
Tesla is coming to India
Gadkari also touched upon the buzz surrounding Tesla’s potential launch in India. While the Indian Government extends its best wishes to Tesla for operating in India, it has emphasized disallowing the sale of cars manufactured in China and advocated local manufacturing for the EV maker.
However, the Union Minister has not specified any deadlines for vehicles with internal combustion engines, unlike European countries where carmakers have set deadlines to replace ICE vehicles with electric ones. A complete shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles depends on developing robust charging infrastructure and networks in India, an area where the country lags behind other developed nations.
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