Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that the government intends to double the turnover of the automobile industry to Rs 15 lakh crore from Rs 7.5 lakh crore at present, report PTI. Speaking at a public meeting in Rajasthan's Pratapgarh district, the ministry highlighted the achievements of the central government in the last nine years.
He also said that India has beaten Japan in automobile manufacturing and has come in number 3 position globally after China and the US.
"The turnover of the automobile industry is Rs 7.55 lakh crore, and four and a half crores have got jobs in the sector. This industry gives maximum GST to the government. We have decided that we will make this industry of Rs 15 lakh crore," he said, adding that the industry will generate ten crore jobs, as per the news agency.
As per the report, Gadkari emphasised the significance of education, saying that knowledge is a powerful asset and the key to future wealth. He highlighted the transformative role of farmers, who are now not just providers of food but also energy suppliers through the production of ethanol and solar electricity.
Gadkari also envisioned a future where vehicles, from auto rickshaws to cars, would run on ethanol, leading to a reduction in India's imports and the prosperity of farmers, the report said.
The Transport minister outlined the numerous strides taken by the Modi government over the past nine years in driving progress and development. Taking a dig at the Congress party, he pointed out that despite ruling for nearly six decades, they failed to eradicate poverty as promised, resulting in their own personal "poverty" being eliminated instead.
Earlier, during the day, in a separate event, Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 11 highway projects worth Rs 5,625 crore through a virtual ceremony. Four national highway projects with a total length of 219 km and costing Rs 3,775 crore were inaugurated. The foundation stone of 7 projects costing Rs 1,850 crore and a total length of 221 km was also laid.
Also Read: Rs 2,000 Note Withdrawal Within RBI's Power, Part Of Currency Management System: Delhi HC
As per the report, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also participated in the event via video conference from his residence in Jaipur. Gehlot appealed to the Union Minister to issue a gazette notification declaring 50 roads in Rajasthan as National Highways. He said that the development of the region would be expedited with the establishment of national highways, as per the report.
Rajasthan CM also urged the prompt commencement of construction on the prepared DPR (Detailed Project Report) of the Rs 2,000 crore Jodhpur elevated road and emphasised the need for the timely completion of remaining works on the ring road. He highlighted the significance of connecting the 9-million-tonne refinery at Pachpadra with the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway to facilitate vehicle movement.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state's focus not only on constructing new roads but also on strengthening existing infrastructure, the news agency reported. He mentioned that approximately 1.32 lakh kilometers of roads are being developed in the state, with 61,000 kilometers already constructed and work in progress on the remaining 71,000 kilometers.
Gehlot expressed his satisfaction that now Rajasthan boasts a robust road network, contributing to the state's economic and industrial growth. The improved road connectivity has positioned Rajasthan among the leading states in terms of infrastructure development, he said, as per the report.