Nitin Gadkari Pushes Green Mobility and Sustainable Roadbuilding at 84th Indian Roads Congress
At the 84th Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari called for a radical shift in India’s mobility and infrastructure agenda, championing green fuels, sustainable materials, and advanced engineering standards. His address spotlighted how India is moving from being a fuel-importing country to one positioned as a fuel exporter, thanks to growing production and adoption of ethanol, methanol, bio-LNG, CNG, and green hydrogen. Press Information Bureau
Gadkari emphasised the importance of road safety alongside sustainability, noting that precision in detailed project reports (DPRs), deployment of intelligent transport systems, and use of eco-friendly materials are now vital for the nation’s next generation of highways. He pointed to initiatives such as using bio-bitumen and recycled plastic waste in road construction as delivering both lower cost and increased durability.
In his remarks, the minister underscored that engineers in the road sector play a critical role in executing this vision, particularly as India gears up to meet ambitious infrastructure and mobility goals. He described the government’s mission as building world-class road infrastructure rooted in innovation, sustainability, and self-reliance.
Editor’s View:
From a tyre-industry vantage point, the statements made at the IRC send a strong signal that mobility is becoming much more than just powertrains and asphalt. The emphasis on green fuels, sustainable materials like recycled plastics and bio-bitumen, plus stronger safety frameworks, all impact how tyres are specified, manufactured, and used.
Tyre makers must factor in materials recycled from plastics, road surfaces built with new composites, and a policy push toward greener mobility. This convergence means future tyres should not only deliver grip and durability but also align with low-carbon infrastructure, evolving road surfaces, and more integrated transport systems.
