Nitin Gadkari calls for stronger BRICS cooperation on sustainable transport at 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers Meeting under India Chairship

📌 Summary:

• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari delivered the opening address at the 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers Meeting in Nagpur, held under India BRICS Chairship with the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"
• Called for BRICS cooperation for sustainable, resilient, inclusive and future-ready transport systems; BRICS represents nearly half the world population — guided by Humanity First and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
• Roads showcase: world 2nd-largest road network; 10,000+ km greenfield expressways; Delhi-Dehradun Economic Corridor; Sonamarg Tunnel; Hybrid Annuity Model for mobilising private investment
• Railways: near-complete broad gauge electrification, Vande Bharat expansion, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail progress, new Pamban Bridge
• Maritime: Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, digital initiatives e-Navik and e-Samudra, Green Shipping initiative
• Sustainable mobility: electric buses, Green Urban Mobility Scheme, UDAN regional connectivity; PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan cutting logistics costs via integrated multimodal planning
• Safety and circular economy: PM-RAHAT scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims; use of recycled plastic, municipal waste, fly ash, steel slag, bamboo crash barriers and end-of-life tyres in road construction
• India offered cooperation in green hydrogen, electric mobility, alternative fuels, digital transport systems and joint research

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 IR — BRICS and India Chairship, South-South cooperation; GS3 — infrastructure, green mobility, logistics reforms

📝 Prelims Facts:

• 3rd BRICS Transport Ministers Meeting venue: Nagpur; India holds BRICS Chairship 2026
• India has the world 2nd-largest road network
• PM-RAHAT — cashless treatment for road accident victims; Hybrid Annuity Model — PPP road financing model
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047; Green Urban Mobility Scheme; UDAN

🔑 Key Term: PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan — GIS-based integrated multimodal infrastructure planning platform to reduce logistics costs