Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has reiterated his opposition to allowing driverless cars in India, citing the potential loss of jobs for millions of drivers. Gadkari made the remark while speaking to Business Today during a recent event hosted by IIM Nagpur.
Gadkari said that he had received several requests from big personalities who wanted to bring driverless vehicles to India, but he had clearly told them that he would never permit such technology in the country. He said that there are 40 lakh drivers in the country and a shortage of 25 lakh drivers, and he would not let the jobs of one crore people be snatched away by driverless cars.
Gadkari also said that he was not opposed to new technology, but he had to consider the social and economic implications of introducing driverless cars in India. He said that India needed to create more employment opportunities for its youth, and driverless cars would only add to the unemployment problem.
Gadkari’s stance on driverless cars is not new, as he had expressed similar views in 2017 and 2019 as well. He had said that India was not ready for driverless cars, as it required a robust infrastructure and organized driving conditions for such vehicles to work. He had also said that driverless cars would pose a threat to the safety and security of the people, as they could be hacked or misused by anti-social elements.
However, Gadkari’s opposition to driverless cars does not mean that he is against electric vehicles or other green technologies. Gadkari has been a vocal advocate of electric vehicles, and has said that he wants India to become a global leader in electric mobility. He has also said that he is open to welcoming Tesla, the US-based electric car maker, to India, as long as they follow the rules and regulations of the country.
Gadkari’s views on driverless cars have sparked a debate among experts and stakeholders, who have different opinions on the feasibility and desirability of autonomous vehicles in India. Some argue that driverless cars could offer many benefits, such as reducing road accidents, traffic congestion, pollution, and fuel consumption, as well as improving accessibility and convenience for the elderly and disabled. Others contend that driverless cars could have many drawbacks, such as displacing millions of workers, increasing cyber risks, creating ethical dilemmas, and requiring massive investments in infrastructure and regulation.
As the technology of driverless cars advances and becomes more affordable, the question of whether India should embrace it or reject it will become more relevant and urgent. Gadkari has made his position clear, but the final decision will depend on the collective will and wisdom of the government, the industry, and the society.
