Govt says no to driverless cars on Indian roads

The government says that it has not yet made any decision for driverless cars in India and that it is of the opinion that India is not ready for it.

Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari getting into a Tesla car. Photo: IANS

Key highlights:

Government may not allow autonomous cars to run in the country

India is not ready for driverless cars as it is against the employment generation

The government has invited Tesla to set up manufacturing unit in India

In a setback to driverless cars on Indian roads, the government may not allow autonomous cars to run in the country. The government has yet not made any decisions for the driverless cars in India, said Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari as reported Sameer Dixit.

The government is in an opinion that at current stage India is not ready for driverless cars as it is against the employment generation.

Cab services including auto rickshaws and regular cabs employ several people in India.

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It was further reported that the government has invited Tesla to set up manufacturing unit in India and do business but also made clear to Tesla that the import duty will not be decreased.

However, this comes as the Indian government has been wooing car markers such as Tesla, which has been working on its driverless cars. This may come as a setback to the company and others such as Uber in India which too have been working on driverless cars.

The government has been working on plans to reduce the number of cars on roads and to promote electric vehicles.

It said that electric vehicles may soon be part of public transportation system that will help to reduce the number of cars on roads.

The government is planning to get such buses which have high passengers facilities and runs on alternative fuels. It is also working on a proposal to develop Bus Ports in India.

The government to promote Bus Ports is looking for an option where NHAI may have a separate wing working delicately for Bus Ports Development. The NHAI wing with a Rs 1,000 crore equity may be opened.

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