Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), recently called out automakers in India over the existing quality and standards of Indian vehicles. Virtually addressing an event organised by MIT-ADT University, Pune, the Union Minister exhorted original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the country to constantly improve quality and standards to meet the international benchmarks. Commenting on the existing built quality of vehicles in India Nitin Gadkari remarked "OEMs have huge market share in Indian auto industry, (despite that) they are unfortunately performing very poorly."
The Union Minister wants automakers in India to constantly improve quality and standards to meet the international benchmarks
In his speech, the Union Minister said that OEMs in India have a huge social responsibility for ensuring that vehicle manufacturing does not compromise with global crash standards even if it comes with a higher cost. In fact, Gadkari, who is, in addition to MoRTH, also the officeholder for the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) said, "There is a need to improve bus body quality. I would urge vehicle manufacturers to constantly improve vehicle standards to align with international benchmarks."
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Union Minister Gadkari also pointed out that there is a need to improve bus body quality
Stating that globally, vehicle engineering technology has matured to a great extent, Gadkari stressed upon the safety as well. The minister said that India and other developing countries are witnessing a very high rate of road accidents and around 1.5 lakh Indians are killed every year, which is even higher than the COVID-19 deaths. In fact, about 60 per cent of deaths are of two-wheeler riders. Reiterating his goal to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in road accident deaths by 2025 and zero accidents and deaths by 2030, Gadkari also stressed on the importance of training drivers and the establishment of advanced training institutes and centres.
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Talking about road infrastructure, the Union Minister said it was his moral responsibility to make good roads and improve road infrastructure. "We are making beautiful roads... At the same time, we are implementing all safety measures in road construction," Gadkari added. He also said cooperation, communication and coordination among all stakeholders is essential to create awareness and achieve goals.
