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Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a comprehensive mobility transformation plan for India, focusing on green, efficient, and technologically advanced transport solutions. The plan includes the development of ropeways, cable cars, funicular railways, hyperloop systems, and electric rapid transport across 360 locations in the country.
Work has already commenced on 60 projects, with investments ranging from ₹200 crore to ₹5,000 crore. As part of the initiative, 25,000 km of existing two-lane highways will be upgraded to four lanes, and road construction will be scaled up to 100 km per day. Pilot projects for Metrino pod taxis and pillar-based rapid transit systems are proposed in cities like Delhi and Bengaluru.
A pilot electric bus project will be launched in Nagpur, featuring a 135-seater executive-class electric bus capable of speeds up to 120-125 km/h. The bus will be fully rechargeable in just 30-40 minutes. The initiative aims to reduce emissions and lower operating costs compared to diesel alternatives.
Additionally, 11 automotive companies including Tata, Toyota, Hyundai, and Mahindra have committed to manufacturing flex-fuel engine vehicles capable of running on ethanol, biofuels, and petrol—reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The Road Transport Ministry has also taken
charge as the nodal body for alternative mobility solutions like ropeways. Other infrastructure enhancements include the development of 670 roadside amenities on national highways, deployment of AI-powered road safety tools like drones and surveillance cameras, and the planting of 20-25 crore trees.
Gadkari expressed confidence that India’s highways will match U.S. road standards within a year, with major cities soon to feature electric rapid transit and cable-run bus systems—marking a major leap toward sustainable transportation in India.
