"Gadkari initiates a national initiative for traffic safety: 'Change is essential on our roadways'"
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Highlights Automobile Industry Developments
At the Snapdragon Auto Day 2025 event, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari outlined key developments and initiatives in India's automobile industry, focusing on road safety, alternative fuels, and driver training.
Road Safety:
Gadkari emphasized the importance of prioritizing road safety, particularly for two-wheelers, which are most vulnerable. To address this, the government is investing Rs 40,000 crore to improve accident-prone highway areas, redesigning 77 high-risk corridors under the Zero Fatality Corridor project.
In addition, Gadkari announced the launch of a national road safety campaign called Brake the Habit by Times Network, aimed at promoting responsible driving behaviors through storytelling and ground-level engagement. Another campaign, Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan, has been launched, available in 22 languages, to induce behavioral change via digital media.
To address the shortage of skilled drivers (currently about 22 lakh short), 1,600 new driver training centers are being established nationwide, expected to generate 15 lakh jobs.
Alternative Fuels and Green Initiatives:
Gadkari reaffirmed strong support for alternative fuels, including ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, CNG, electric, and particularly hydrogen fuel, as part of reducing India's dependence on fossil fuel imports and cutting emissions.
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, targeting a reduction of Rs 1 lakh crore in fossil fuel imports and cutting 50 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Trials of hydrogen-powered trucks are underway, and nine hydrogen refueling stations are being established across India.
Sustainability efforts include transforming municipal waste from Delhi into road construction material and testing bio-bitumen made from agricultural residue on highways to reduce landfill use.
Technological and Industry Innovations:
Qualcomm Technologies showcased India-focused automotive innovations at the event, including the Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform, which supports in-vehicle connectivity, infotainment, advanced driver assistance, and cloud services tailored for Indian road conditions. Leading automakers like Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra highlighted ongoing collaborations to integrate Snapdragon technologies in connected cars and electric vehicles to enhance safety and user experience.
In summary, the latest initiatives reflect a multipronged approach by India's government and industry to improve road safety through infrastructure investment and behavioral change campaigns, accelerate adoption of clean and alternative fuels with a focus on hydrogen, and bolster driver training infrastructure—all supported by cutting-edge automotive technology partnerships showcased at Snapdragon Auto Day 2025. The auto industry continues to generate the highest GST revenue for the country, supporting over 4 crore jobs in India.
- The government, in collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, is fostering technological advancements in India's automotive industry, as demonstrated by the showcase of the Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform, aimed at improving in-vehicle connectivity and safety for Indian road conditions.
- In an effort to reduce India's dependence on fossil fuels and minimize carbon emissions, the government is spearheading the National Green Hydrogen Mission, targeting an annual production of 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030, and integrating hydrogen-powered vehicles into the transportation sector through trials and the establishment of hydrogen refueling stations.
- Financial support from the government, such as the Rs 40,000 crore investment to improve accident-prone highway areas and Rs 1 lakh crore potential savings through the National Green Hydrogen Mission, demonstrates the significant role of the finance industry in fueling initiatives aimed at enhancing road safety, energy transition, and job creation in the automotive sector.
