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.