Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, highlighted the critical role of green energy, robust infrastructure, and value-driven governance in driving India’s growth during the 120th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). Emphasising that development must balance “ethics, economy, and ecology,” Gadkari stressed that economic progress should go hand-in-hand with environmental sustainability and a socially responsible framework.
Gadkari underscored the remarkable transformation of India’s automobile sector, which has grown from the world’s seventh largest in 2014 to the third largest today, boasting a turnover exceeding ₹22 lakh crore. He attributed this growth to initiatives promoting biofuels, ethanol, and hydrogen.
The minister also emphasised the reduction of India’s logistics costs, historically around 16% of GDP. With expressway projects such as Delhi–Mumbai, Delhi–Dehradun, Delhi–Amritsar–Katra, and Bengaluru–Chennai, these costs are projected to fall to single digits by the end of 2025. These infrastructure upgrades have significantly reduced travel times: Delhi to Dehradun and Delhi to Jaipur now take about two hours, while Delhi to Mumbai has been cut to 12 hours.
On the agriculture front, Gadkari praised policies allowing ethanol production from maize, noting that this has substantially increased farmers’ incomes in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, circulating over ₹45,000 crore in the rural economy.
He urged industry leaders to reinvest 3–4% of their profits into research and development to enhance global competitiveness. “The future belongs to clean fuels, green technologies, and knowledge-driven growth,” he stated. Gadkari also shared data showing that India’s GDP has grown from ₹107 lakh crore in 2014 to ₹331 lakh crore in 2024–25, with exports up 76% and FDI inflows crossing ₹60 lakh crore.
Concluding his address, the minister called for collective action, emphasising that India’s young workforce and innovative spirit can drive the nation toward becoming self-reliant and developed. Following his speech, Gadkari presented the PHDCCI Business Practices and Awards 2025 to notable businesses, including Haldiram’s promoters, Maninder Nanda of Aerial Telecom Solutions, and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
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