Nitin Gadkari Pushes for CNG and LNG Trucks to Reduce Logistics Costs and Enhance Road Safety
India’s Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has outlined a new strategy to reduce logistics costs and improve road safety in the country. Speaking at the concluding event of Project Abhay by CRDT at IIT Delhi on January 28, 2025, Gadkari shared his vision for a future where 80% of India’s truck fleet runs on cleaner fuels like CNG and LNG.
This shift, he believes, will significantly reduce the cost of exporting goods from India, thereby boosting the country’s global competitiveness. Gadkari’s emphasis on transitioning to CNG and LNG-powered trucks aligns with the government’s broader strategy to reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and make logistics more cost-effective. The logistics sector is crucial for India’s economy, especially for exports, and reducing transport costs could provide a competitive edge on the global market. According to Gadkari, cleaner fuel solutions like CNG and LNG have the potential to lower operational costs while promoting a more sustainable transportation network.
The Minister’s comments come at a time when India is striving to make its roads safer and more efficient, and the adoption of alternative fuels in the trucking sector is a key part of that effort. Not only would this reduce logistics costs, but it would also help India meet its ambitious climate goals by reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector. During his address, Gadkari also highlighted the alarming shortage of truck drivers in India. Currently, the country has only 75 drivers for every 100 trucks, which translates to a shortage of around 22 lakh drivers. This shortage is one of the main factors contributing to the increasing number of accidents on Indian roads.
In response, the government is taking steps to address this issue by setting up training centres across India to equip more individuals with the skills necessary to operate trucks. Gadkari pointed out that the lack of driver shifts, unlike in European countries, contributes to fatigue-related accidents. He further stated that truck drivers are responsible for 10,000 deaths annually out of 1.80 lakh fatalities in road accidents in India. Gadkari also spoke about the importance of improving road safety, citing the introduction of automatic emergency brake systems in trucks and buses. This technology aims to prevent accidents by automatically applying the brakes when a potential collision is detected. It is one of several initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety in India, especially as the number of vehicles on the roads continues to grow.
Additionally, the government is looking to enhance driver training programs and is committed to ensuring that drivers operate vehicles in a safer and more responsible manner. According to Gadkari, such technological advancements are necessary to reduce the incidence of road accidents and improve safety for all road users. The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the improvements in road infrastructure, which he believes are already having a significant impact on reducing transportation time across India. With better roads, transportation time has been reduced considerably, and logistics efficiency has improved. This progress is expected to continue, with the government planning further road upgrades and modernisation projects.
In his address, Gadkari reiterated that the future of India’s road transport would rely heavily on the integration of technology and sustainable fuels. His goal is to create a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer transport system that can support the country’s growing economy. Nitin Gadkari’s push for a more sustainable and safer transport infrastructure is part of a larger plan to modernise India’s logistics sector. By adopting CNG and LNG-powered trucks and incorporating safety technologies like automatic emergency braking, the government aims to not only cut logistics costs but also improve road safety. However, addressing the critical shortage of trained truck drivers remains a challenge that must be tackled to ensure the successful implementation of these reforms. The government’s focus on infrastructure development, cleaner fuels, and technology-driven solutions signals a bright future for India’s transport sector and its position in the global trade arena.
