ENA Sectors 2026-04-10 16:31:20 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Apr 10 (KNN)</strong> Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said technology-driven transformation will be the cornerstone of Indias future growth, outlining the governments vision of technology for life as a key national priority.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Speaking at the annual conference of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Gadkari emphasised that innovation, research, and adoption of advanced technologies will play a crucial role in shaping the countrys economic trajectory.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"> There are many such ideas, and that is why technology for life is our vision. It is the biggest asset for the country's future, and it is very much achievable, he said, ANI reported.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Auto Sector Growth and Global Ambition</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">On the expansion of Indias automobile industry, Gadkari said, In 2014, the size of our automobile industry was around Rs 7 lakh crore. Today, it has grown to Rs 22 lakh crore. He added that India recently overtook Japan to become the worlds third-largest automobile market.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">With the United States and China currently ahead, the government is now targeting the top position globally within the next seven years.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Jobs, Exports and Economic Impact</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">The automobile sector currently employs around 4.5 crore people and is a major contributor to GST revenues and exports. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"> If India wants to become a global leader and a strong economy, we must increase automobile exports and aim to become number one globally, Gadkari said.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Push for Efficient Logistics Through Waterways</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Highlighting infrastructure reforms, the minister pointed to efforts to promote inland waterways as a cost-effective transport alternative. He noted that logistics costs could be significantly reduced by shifting cargo movement from road and rail to rivers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Drawing comparisons, he said transporting goods by road costs around Rs 10 per unit, by rail Rs 6, and by waterways just Rs 1. He added that countries such as Germany, France, and Italy have already developed integrated river-port systems linked to container ports.</span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-size:14px">Sustainable Infrastructure and Innovation</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Gadkari also highlighted the use of waste materials in infrastructure projects, noting that steel slag&mdash;once considered industrial waste&mdash;is now being utilised in road construction following extensive research.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">Around 80 lakh tonnes of such waste has been used in major projects, including the Dwarka Expressway, the Mumbai Delhi highway, and the Ahmedabad Delhi road.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span><br /> </p> 45751 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/india-aims-to-become-top-auto-market-in-7-years-technology-for-life-key-to-economic-growth-gadkari 2026-04-10 16:31:20 knnindia.co.in