Transport, highways, shipping ministry aims to add 2 per cent to GDP: Gadkari

Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari has said that his ministry is aiming to add 2 per cent to country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in two years by road sector, by shipping, inland water ways and automobile industry. Further, stressing on the importance of creation of jobs, he said that his agenda is to create 50 lakh jobs in five years. He said that his ministry wants to make this industry of international standards and wants to change rules and regulation for same.

Advocating adapting technology of international standards, Gadkari said, 'we are ready to accept any modern new technology, and an expert committee has been constituted to submit a report after studying things at various countries'.

Further, Gadkari said that there is 22 per cent shortage of drivers and his ministry is going to open new scheme for training of drivers. He said that there is a need for skilled manpower with the addition of new technology and innovation to the sector. Furthermore he said “By training the manpower in India we can encourage employment potential. This is one of the targets of my ministry and policy of our government”.

In this regard a workshop has been conducted in Delhi and they are going to start the scheme from June adding that it is a plan of five years, for Rs 5,000 crore. Highlighting various projects undertaken by his department, he said they have also decided to make our roads green.