Nitin Gadkari calls for stronger BRICS Cooperation to build sustainable, resilient and future-Ready Transport Systems

Delivering the opening address at the Third BRICS Transport Ministers’ Meeting under India’s BRICS Chairship, Gadkari welcomed transport ministers, heads of delegation, senior officials and delegates from BRICS member countries to Nagpur and described the meeting as a significant step towards strengthening transport cooperation among emerging economies.

The Union Minister said India’s BRICS Chairship, guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, reflects a people-centric, “Humanity First” approach inspired by the timeless philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the World is One Family.

He said BRICS, representing nearly half of the world’s population, is uniquely positioned to lead the development of transport systems that are cleaner, safer, smarter and more efficient while advancing sustainable economic growth and regional connectivity.  Emphasising that transport is the backbone of economic development, Gadkari highlighted India’s rapid transformation across the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors.  He noted that India has developed the world’s second-largest road network while significantly expanding access-controlled expressways and multimodal connectivity.      Referring to projects such as the Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor, the Sonamarg Tunnel and over 10,000 kilometres of Greenfield Expressways, he said these initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to combining infrastructure development with environmental sustainability and technological innovation. He also highlighted the Hybrid Annuity Model as a successful framework for mobilising private investment in infrastructure.   Gadkari said India’s railways have undergone unprecedented modernisation through near-complete electrification of the broad-gauge network, expansion of Vande Bharat services, progress on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor and landmark engineering achievements such as the new Pamban Bridge. Highlighting India’s commitment to sustainable mobility, Gadkari referred to the deployment of electric buses, the Green Urban Mobility Scheme and the success of the UDAN initiative in improving regional air connectivity.

He said the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan has transformed infrastructure planning through integrated multimodal development, reducing logistics costs and accelerating project implementation.

The Union Minister underlined 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 BRICS collaboration, Gadkari said common challenges relating to infrastructure financing, congestion, emissions, road safety and last-mile connectivity require collective solutions. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to deepen cooperation through knowledge sharing, capacity building, technological collaboration and joint research in green hydrogen, electric mobility, alternative fuels, digital transport systems and sustainable multimodal infrastructure. He called upon BRICS nations to work together to build transport systems that promote inclusive growth, strengthen regional connectivity, protect the environment and contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.