India urges BRICS to lead global transformation in sustainable transportation

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India’s union minister Nitin Gadkari advocated deeper BRICS collaboration for sustainable transport, highlighting India’s infrastructure innovations and urging joint solutions for shared mobility challenges.

India spotlights BRICS partnership for next-generation transport

With global mobility at a crossroads, India is making a strong case for BRICS nations to jointly reimagine the future of transportation. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has called on the bloc to seize its collective influence and drive forward sustainable and resilient transport systems, positioning the group as a leader in shaping tomorrow’s mobility landscape.

Setting the stage: India’s approach to BRICS chairship

Welcoming delegates from BRICS member countries to Nagpur, Gadkari used the occasion to underline India’s vision for its current chairship. This year’s theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” is rooted in a people-centric philosophy inspired by the ancient Indian idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ or the world as one family. According to an official release from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, this approach emphasizes human welfare, shared progress, and a commitment to future generations.

India’s infrastructure transformation: A blueprint for emerging economies

India’s rapid modernization across transportation sectors was highlighted as a model for fellow emerging economies. Gadkari outlined milestones such as the expansion of India’s road network, now the second largest globally, and the development of access-controlled expressways and multimodal corridors. Projects like the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor and Sonamarg Tunnel, along with over 10,000 kilometers of new Greenfield Expressways, were cited as examples of blending innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

He also referenced India’s successful use of the Hybrid Annuity Model to attract private investment in infrastructure, a framework lauded for balancing risk and reward between public and private sectors.

The modernization drive extends to Indian railways, where near-complete electrification of the broad-gauge network and the expansion of Vande Bharat services have set new benchmarks. Landmark projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor and the engineering feat of the new Pamban Bridge illustrate India’s embrace of cutting-edge technology.

On the maritime front, the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, digital initiatives like e-Navik and e-Samudra, and the Green Shipping initiative are intended to enhance logistics efficiency and environmental stewardship. In aviation, schemes such as UDAN have improved regional air connectivity, with the deployment of electric buses and the Green Urban Mobility Scheme underscoring India’s focus on sustainable urban transport.

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