Gadkari Calls for Stronger BRICS Transport Cooperation to Drive Sustainable Global Mobility
Nagpur, July 11: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for deeper cooperation among BRICS nations to build transport systems that are sustainable, resilient, inclusive and future-ready, asserting that the grouping has the collective strength to shape the future of global mobility through innova
Gadkari Calls for Stronger .BRICS Transport Cooperation to Drive Sustainable Global Mobility
tion, partnership and shared responsibility.
Addressing the 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting under India’s BRICS Chairship in Nagpur on Saturday, Gadkari said India’s leadership of the bloc is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflecting the country’s “Humanity First” approach inspired by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Highlighting India’s rapid infrastructure transformation, the minister said the country has developed the world’s second-largest road network while significantly expanding expressways and multimodal connectivity. He pointed to landmark projects such as the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Sonamarg Tunnel and more than 10,000 km of Greenfield Expressways as examples of infrastructure development aligned with environmental sustainability and technological innovation.
Gadkari also highlighted India’s railway modernisation through near-complete electrification of the broad-gauge network, expansion of Vande Bharat trains, progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor and the new Pamban Bridge. He said initiatives such as the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Green Shipping programme and digital maritime platforms are strengthening the country’s logistics ecosystem.
Emphasising sustainable mobility, he cited the expansion of electric buses, the Green Urban Mobility Scheme, the UDAN regional connectivity programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan as major initiatives that are improving connectivity while reducing logistics costs and accelerating infrastructure development.
The minister said road safety and sustainability remain central to India’s transport strategy, highlighting the PM-RAHAT scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims and the use of recycled plastic waste, fly ash, steel slag, bamboo crash barriers and end-of-life tyres in road construction as examples of environmentally responsible infrastructure practices.
Calling for stronger collaboration among BRICS nations, Gadkari said common challenges such as infrastructure financing, congestion, emissions, road safety and last-mile connectivity require collective solutions. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to knowledge sharing, capacity building, technological collaboration and joint research in green hydrogen, electric mobility, alternative fuels, digital transport systems and sustainable multimodal infrastructure.
Expressing confidence that the meeting would strengthen transport cooperation within BRICS, the minister urged member countries to work together to promote inclusive growth, improve regional connectivity, protect the environment and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
