India's auto industry to become global leader in 5 years: Gadkari

Cuttack: Union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday predicted that India's automobile industry would emerge as a global leader within five years, surpassing both the US and China.

Delivering the 125th birth anniversary memorial lecture of Harekrushna Mahtab, Odisha's first chief minister, at Ravenshaw University here, Gadkari revealed that India has already overtaken Japan to secure the third position in global automotive rankings.

"The US automobile industry currently leads with Rs 79 lakh crore, followed by China at Rs 48 lakh crore, while India stands at Rs 22 lakh crore," said Gadkari. He noted that under his ministerial tenure, the sector has witnessed substantial growth from Rs 13 lakh crore.

The automobile sector remains India's largest employer, generating 4.5 crore jobs and contributing significantly to govt revenue through GST, the minister said.

Gadkari promised to transform Odisha's highway infrastructure. "Within two years, Odisha's highways will surpass US standards," he said.

Gadkari emphasised the need for a comprehensive development plan, ‘Odisha after 25 years', to chart the state's future growth trajectory.

The minister paid tribute to Mahtab's legacy, particularly highlighting his role in the Hirakud dam project and his literary contributions, including the ‘History of Odisha', written during his imprisonment in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar jail during the freedom struggle.

"Mahtab's visionary leadership transformed Odisha. We must work collectively to fulfil his dreams for the state," Gadkari said.