Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has declared that India will not permit driverless cars to protect the livelihoods of drivers. Gadkari emphasized, “I will never allow driverless cars to come into India because it will take away the jobs of several drivers, and I will not let that happen.” He estimates that the introduction of driverless cars in India could result in the loss of jobs for approximately 70-80 lakh people instantly, posing a significant problem.
Addressing road safety concerns during the Zero Mile Samvad hosted by IIM Nagpur, Gadkari outlined various government measures to reduce road accidents, including enhancements in automotive engineering, such as incorporating six airbags in cars, reducing black spots on roads, and raising fines through the Electric Motors Act.
Referring to Tesla’s entry into India, he mentioned that while the US carmaker is welcome to operate in India, manufacturing in China for sales in India is not permissible. Gadkari also stressed the importance of hydrogen as the fuel of the future and the government’s commitment to adopting advanced technology to enhance public infrastructure.
This stance aligns with Gadkari’s earlier disapproval of driverless cars in the country, expressing concerns about potential unemployment. In 2019, he highlighted the need for employment growth, emphasizing a shortage of around 22 lakh drivers in India. Gadkari has consistently emphasized the importance of addressing this shortage to overcome unemployment challenges.
