Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday called for deeper cooperation among BRICS nations to develop transport systems that are sustainable, resilient, inclusive and future-ready, asserting that the grouping has the potential to shape the future of global mobility through innovation, partnership and shared responsibility.
Addressing the 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting under India’s BRICS Chairship in Nagpur, Gadkari welcomed transport ministers, heads of delegation and senior officials from member countries and described the gathering as an important step towards strengthening transport cooperation among emerging economies.
The minister said India’s BRICS Chairship, guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” reflects a people-centric approach inspired by the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “The World is One Family.” He noted that BRICS countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population, are uniquely positioned to lead the development of cleaner, safer, smarter and more efficient transport systems while promoting sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity.
Highlighting India’s infrastructure transformation, Gadkari said transport remains the backbone of economic development and noted that India now has the world’s second-largest road network. He pointed to the rapid expansion of access-controlled expressways and multimodal connectivity projects across the country.
Citing key infrastructure initiatives such as the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Sonamarg Tunnel and more than 10,000 kilometres of Greenfield Expressways, Gadkari said these projects demonstrate India’s commitment to combining infrastructure development with environmental sustainability and technological innovation. He also highlighted the success of the Hybrid Annuity Model in attracting private investment for infrastructure projects.
The minister said India’s railway sector has witnessed unprecedented modernisation through the near-complete electrification of the broad-gauge network, the expansion of Vande Bharat train services and progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor. He also referred to engineering achievements such as the new Pamban Bridge and ongoing efforts to strengthen rail connectivity and efficiency.
In the maritime sector, Gadkari highlighted initiatives under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, including digital platforms such as e-Navik and e-Samudra, as well as the Green Shipping initiative aimed at improving logistics efficiency and sustainability.
Emphasising India’s commitment to green mobility, he pointed to the growing deployment of electric buses, the Green Urban Mobility Scheme and the success of the UDAN programme in improving regional air connectivity. He said the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan has transformed infrastructure planning through integrated multimodal development, helping reduce logistics costs and accelerate project implementation.
Gadkari stressed that safety and sustainability remain central to India’s transport strategy. He highlighted initiatives such as the PM-RAHAT scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims and the use of recycled plastic waste, municipal waste, fly ash, steel slag, bamboo crash barriers and end-of-life tyres in road construction as examples of environmentally responsible infrastructure development.
Calling for stronger collaboration among BRICS countries, the minister said common challenges such as infrastructure financing, congestion, emissions, road safety and last-mile connectivity require collective solutions.
He reaffirmed India’s willingness to deepen cooperation through knowledge sharing, capacity building, technological collaboration and joint research in areas such as green hydrogen, electric mobility, alternative fuels, digital transport systems and sustainable multimodal infrastructure.
Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the meeting, Gadkari said the discussions would strengthen transport cooperation among BRICS nations and contribute to practical, innovative and people-centric mobility solutions.
He urged member countries to work together to build transport systems that promote inclusive growth, enhance regional connectivity, protect the environment and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future.
