Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said there is no future for vehicles running on petrol and diesel in the long term, and urged the industry to shift rapidly toward cleaner fuels and improved public transport systems.

While speaking at an Busworld Conclave 2026, Gadkari stressed that rising fuel imports and pollution concerns make the transition to alternative energy inevitable. He said that India currently spends heavily on fossil fuel imports, calling it both an economic and environmental challenge.

“One thing which is very clear…there is no future for diesel and petrol engines,” he said. He urged manufacturers to switch to alternatives, such as biofuel, as diesel and petrol are creating a “serious problem” from the perspectives of import dependency and pollution. 

According to the minister, key priorities for the transport sector should include cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous solutions to modernise mobility. He said public transport development remains critical as the country expands highway infrastructure and urban mobility networks.

Gadkari also highlighted hydrogen as a promising energy source, noting that pilot projects are already underway. “So hydrogen is the fuel for the future. And my feeling is that research in this sector is very important,” he said, adding that hydrogen trucks and buses are being tested on multiple routes. 

Alongside cleaner fuels, he emphasised the need to improve the quality and safety of buses, stating that passenger expectations are shifting toward higher standards. He said bus manufacturing and design must match global benchmarks to ensure comfort and reliability.

“We have to plan our transport sector with good quality, good comforts, and making it equal to international standards,” Gadkari said, adding that safety standards in bus construction cannot be compromised.