India to get rid of petrol, diesel vehicles: Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari wants to slash GST on hybrid vehicles and has vowed to rid India entirely of the over 36 crore petrol and diesel vehicles.

“One hundred per cent,” the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways said when asked whether it is possible for India to get rid of petrol and diesel cars altogether. “It is difficult but not impossible. This is my vision,” Gadkari said.

Gadkari did not give any timeline to meet this ambitious target which even proponents of green energy believe is mind bogglingly difficult.

He said India spends Rs 16 lakh crore on fuel imports. This money will be used for improving the life of farmers, villages will be prosperous and the youth will get employment, the minister said.

The proposal to reduce GST on hybrid vehicles to five per cent and to 12 per cent for flex engines has been sent to the Finance ministry which is considering the requisition, Gadkari said.

The minister said he firmly believes the country can end fuel import by promoting the use of biofuels. Environmental activists welcomed Gadkari’s vision for increasing green mobility, but also struck a word of caution by flagging the use of fossil fuels in the production of electricity.