SME Times News Bureau | 17 Feb, 2020
MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged the industry to use
waterways as a mode of transportation for goods to reduce cost and become
competitive in the export market.
Speaking
at a conference on 'Developing A Roadmap for Low Carbon & Sustainable
Mobility in India', organised by FICCI Mr Gadkari said,
"This is the appropriate time. We have the best technology; economic
viability and we need public private investments. To support these, we have government
policies."
Gadkari
said that government has already started the process of introducing Broad gauge
metro in railways using the already existing railway network. He also invited
the private sector to explore and invest in this sector. "This model can
be given to private sector to run these metros," he said.
Highlighting
the potential in the transport sector, Gadkari urged the industry to
use waterways transportation as a mode for transporting goods. "The most
economically viable transport is water transport and public transport on
electricity," he added.
He said
that the Delhi Mumbai express highway, part of the 22 green highway project,
will be completed in next 3 years and will reduce travel distance by 280 kms.
"In long term, LNG should be used in trucks which will reduce the cost by
40 percent as compared to diesel and CNG for city buses," he added.
Gadkari invited
the private sector to come forward to invest in conversion of CNG from stubble
and solid waste. He added that government is also working on adopting
bio-aviation fuel as fuel option which will be cheaper than petroleum aviation
fuel.
He
urged FICCI to develop a policy for next 25 years focusing on cost-effective,
pollution free, best technology options, ecology and environment.
Highlighting
the potential of e-vehicles in India, Mr Gadkari said that government is
planning to introduce 10,000 electric buses and government will support the
e-vehicle sector. "By using the world’s best technology, we can see a
reduction of 10 percent in the logistics cost and will also help in reducing
pollution, creation of new jobs and overall development of the economy,"
added Gadkari.
He
emphasised on different options such as conversion of waste and sewage into
biofuels, utilisation of wasteland for Jatropha, promotion hydrogen fuel cells,
alternative fuels in rural sector to contribute towards livelihood generation
and waterways as a long-term solution.
Bharat
Salhotra, Chair, FICCI Core Group on
Sustainable Mobility and MD, Ronmas India Private Limited said, "Today, we
are entering into a new phase to have consultations with government on the
India Roadmap for low carbon and sustainable mobility. FICCI has conducted
multi-stakeholder consultations for the Roadmap in three Indian cities as well
as in International conferences to develop a comprehensive one single roadmap
for the country in the transport space."
Ravi
Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF India
also shared his perspective on the future transport sector of the country.