The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways in India, Nitin Gadkari, has once more expressed his reservations about the idea of driverless carsin the country. He has consistently held this stance, emphasizing that he won't permit these vehicles in India. Gadkari's primary argument against driverless cars stems from the potential job losses they could bring to India's large population of drivers. In a bold declaration, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has firmly asserted that driverless cars will not be permitted in India. The primary reason behind this decision, as stated by Gadkari, is to safeguard the employment opportunities of millions of drivers across the country. On Tesla’s entry into India, he said that the US car maker is invited to operate in India, but manufacturing in China for sales in India is not permissible. The statement comes at a time when Tesla is looking to enter the Indian market and also set up a manufacturing unit in the country. Further, Gadkari emphasised the importance of hydrogen as the fuel of the future and expressed the government’s commitment to adopting advanced technology to improve public infrastructure. Gadkari publicly expressed his disapproval of driverless cars in the country in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Gadkari opposed the introduction of driverless cars in India, expressing concern about potential unemployment. According to a report by Business Today, Gadkari said, “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”. Meanwhile, Gadkari said that if driverless cars are introduced in India then approximately 70-80 lakh people would lose their jobs instantly, creating another significant problem.
Earlier in December 2018, Gadkari reportedly said that driverless cars would not be allowed in India. “Presently, there are 30 lakh people who are getting employment (through the automobile industries). And in our economy, the most important thing is how to create more employment potential as our country’s population is very high,” he had added.
Key Points
1. Nitin Gadkari's Perspective: Unpacking the statements made by Nitin Gadkari, understanding his concerns about the potential job losses in the driving sector, and examining the broader context of his decision.
2. Job Protection and Technological Advancement: Analyzing the delicate balance between preserving employment opportunities and embracing technological advancements, particularly in the context of the automotive industry.
3. Economic Impact Assessment: Conducting an in-depth examination of Gadkari's claim that the introduction of driverless cars could lead to the immediate loss of 70-80 lakh jobs in India.
4. Potential Alternatives and Compromises: Exploring potential compromises or alternative solutions that could allow for the gradual integration of autonomous vehicles without causing widespread job displacement.
5. Conclusion and Future Perspectives: Summarising the key takeaways, reflecting on the implications of Gadkari's decision, and contemplating the potential trajectory of autonomous vehicle adoption in India.
While addressing road safety concerns during the Zero Mile Samvad hosted by IIM Nagpur, Gadkari outlined several measures taken by the government to mitigate road accidents, including changes in automotive engineering such as adding six airbags in cars, reducing black spots on roads, and increasing fines through the Electric Motors Act. “We have increased fines via the Electric Motors Act, kept ambulances and cranes so that things only become better from here. We also raise awareness every year,” Gadkari said. In 2017, he stated that driverless cars were not a necessity in India at that time. According to him, the need of the hour was electric vehicles that were less polluting and more energy-efficient than cars running on conventional fossil fuels.