Nitin Gadkari Urges India-US Joint Ventures to Boost Infrastructure & Technology Growth

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for stronger joint ventures between Indian and US companies to accelerate technology adoption and infrastructure development in India.

Addressing the Annual Leadership Summit of AMCHAM India, Gadkari said Indian companies should collaborate with US firms to leverage advanced technologies and strengthen the country’s infrastructure ecosystem. He also stated that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is exploring the possibility of engaging US consultancy firms for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for highway projects.

Highlighting improvements in India’s logistics sector, Gadkari said the country’s logistics cost has reduced to single digit levels from 16 per cent earlier, driven by rapid expansion of expressways and economic corridors. He cited a study by IIT Chennai, IIT Kanpur and IIM Bangalore, which showed that infrastructure upgrades have significantly improved supply chain efficiency.

The minister also outlined the government’s ambition to make India’s automobile industry the largest in the world within five years. He said the industry’s size has grown from Rs 14 lakh crore to Rs 22 lakh crore since he took charge as transport minister.

Emphasising the need for cleaner mobility solutions, Gadkari said India spends around Rs 22 lakh crore annually on fuel imports, making the transition to alternative fuels and green energy critical. He added that the government has identified 10 highway stretches across the country for operating green hydrogen-powered trucks to reduce vehicular pollution and promote sustainable transport.