At the HPCL Times Drive Auto Summit & Awards, the minister said India hopes to achieve 60 km of highway construction every day. Gadkari also said he has ordered all two-wheeler makers to provide at least two helmets (within the cost of the vehicle) with every vehicle sold.
Responding to a query on the range anxiety worries of electric vehicle (EV) buyers, he said, “We are developing 670 roadside amenities, which will have charging stations”.
According to Gadkari, the most important issue is interoperability between charging standards adopted by car makers. “We have created laws for the same to have this addressed. Now a single charger will suffice,” the minister said.
Commenting on India’s highway building plans, Gadkari said, “There is no dearth of funds. We recently gave ₹50,000 crore to NHAI to lower its debt”.
According to the minister, road assets are being monetised steadily, but fresh construction requires multiple approvals. “I yearn to achieve 60 km of highway construction every day,” he said, adding that 36-38 km of highways are being completed per day.Highlighting the growth of India’s automobile industry, Gadkari said, “In the next five years, we hope to be the top automobile market of the world”.India is currently the third largest automobile market.
