ABP Live India Infrastructure Conclave 2024: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that soon India will see the rollout of satellite toll system. This system will help eradicate the issue of mulitple tolls in less distance, the minister said.


The Cabinet Minister was speaking at the ABP Live India Infrastructure Conclave 2024. The conclave was organised by ABP Live in the national capital on August 28, 2024 and focuses on the infrastructure revolution in the country.


Gadkari was speaking about the uproar raised earlier this month when a politician said that commuters on the Chandigarh-Dehradun NH-73 route were being made to pay tolls twice in a distance of less than 60 km. As a solution to the issue, the minister said that people are correct in being angry about this system and the satellite toll system will help resolve the matter. The satellite toll system, the minister said, will cut tolls from vehicles on the basis of the kilometres travelled by the individual irrespective of where the toll booths are.


Hydrogen Fuel Cell


Talking about the prospects of hydrogen fuel cell technology, the minister stated that the technology and the fitting stations required to fuel the vehicles are very expensive. However, he added, that his dream to make India an exporter of hydrogen. He said that the day we can make hydrogen from methane made from organic waste, India can start exporting hydrogen and capitalise on it. “This is difficult, but not impossible,” Gadkari noted.


Agriculture And Population


The Union Minister that the growing population of India remained a challenge for its economy. He added that the mechanised agriculture system has become a problem due to over population. This can be solved with economic productions including maximum participants, the minister stated.


The Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India attended the conclave as the Guest of Honour. He distributed awards to the leading players in the infrastructure sector who contributed to the growth story. ARS Steel Chennai received the award for excellence in green product initiative, while Adani Green Energy was named the pioneer in renewable energy. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone earned the award for excellence in ports infrastructure and L&T bagged the infrastructure player of the year honour. Ather Energy was named as the EV player of the year, while Vishwasamudra Holding secured the award for diverse impact in infrastructure development. Siddha Group was awarded the excellence in innovation in real estate, and the greenfield smart city award was given to Reliance Smart City. Cabcon India, Skylark Group earned the innovations in electrical infrastructure and emerging real estate developed in 2024 awards respectively. Aggcon Equipments International bagged the excellence in infrastructure equipment rental service award.


The event brought together influential figures in the domestic infrastructure, from government bodies, PSUs, and private players. The conclave focused on holding dialogue about the achievements of the Indian infrastructure sector and how to transform the industry going forward. 


Other participants in the conclave included Lt General Raghu Srinivasan, Director General, Border Roads Organisation, Dr Vibha Dhawan, DG, TERI, Dr Mohammed Rihan, DG, National Institute of Solar Energy, and Anumita Roychowdhury, ED, Centre for Science and Environment, among others. 


Further, the event saw discussions on the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies and trends in the infrastructure sector.


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