Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said hydrogen will play a key role in the future of transportation, with the government currently conducting pilot projects on 10 national highway corridors to test hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The trial routes include Greater Noida Delhi Agra, Pune Mumbai, Ahmedabad Vadodara Surat, Bhubaneswar Konark Puri, Thiruvananthapuram–Kochi, Kochi–Edappally, Jamshedpur–Kalinga Nagar, Sahibabad Faridabad Delhi, Jamnagar Ahmedabad, and NH-16 between Visakhapatnam and Bayyavaram.
Speaking at the Prawaas 5.0 and Bharat Prawaas Awards in Gandhinagar, Gadkari said hydrogen is the “fuel of the future” and forms a major part of the government’s clean mobility strategy. He also praised India’s automobile industry for advancing alternative fuel and biofuel technologies, expressing confidence that the country can become a global leader in affordable and innovative transport solutions.
The minister urged manufacturers and transport operators to improve passenger comfort using world-class technology while keeping vehicles affordable.
Highlighting road safety, Gadkari noted that India records nearly five lakh road accidents and around 1.8 lakh deaths annually, with most victims aged between 18 and 36 years. He said road accidents also result in an estimated 3% loss to the country’s GDP, making safety a top government priority.
Gadkari added that India’s automobile industry has grown from ₹14 lakh crore to ₹22 lakh crore, becoming the world’s third-largest automobile market and generating around 4.5 crore jobs.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the government is testing E25 fuel petrol blended with 25% ethanol but clarified that no decision has been taken on its commercial rollout. He said scientific studies and consultations with stakeholders will be completed before any final decision is made.
