Nitin Gadkari Forecasts End of Petrol and Diesel in Public Transport Sector

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has issued a firm warning to the automotive industry regarding the future of traditional combustion engines. Speaking at the Busworld India 2026 summit on Tuesday, the minister declared that petrol and diesel vehicles have no long term future within the nation’s public transport network.

Gadkari cited escalating air pollution levels and the heavy economic burden of fossil fuel imports as the primary catalysts for this transition. The minister urged original equipment manufacturers and fleet operators to accelerate their shift toward alternative fuels. He specifically highlighted hydrogen, ethanol, CNG, and electric powertrains as the pillars of the coming era.

Gadkari noted that the country’s dependence on imported fuel creates significant economic vulnerability, particularly during periods of global geopolitical instability. To mitigate this, the ministry has already initiated pilot projects for hydrogen mobility, with major Indian manufacturers currently conducting trials on ten designated routes.

Beyond fuel types, Gadkari emphasised a major overhaul of safety and quality standards. He announced that bus registrations will now require a more rigorous approval process. Manufacturers must upload physical and video inspections to the Vahan portal, effectively ending the previous self certification regime. The minister stated that no bus will be registered without these verified inspections.

Addressing the supply gap, Gadkari pointed out that India currently has only two buses per 1,000 people, well below the global benchmark of eight. With the demand for electric buses expected to reach 1.5 lakh units over the next three years, he called on the industry to triple its manufacturing capacity. 

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