New transport policy in a month: Gadkari

 Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said here on Thursday the new transport policy would be announced within a month.

Speaking at an event, organised by the FICCI and the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings, Gadkari asked corporates to share suggestions to transform the sector. "I assure you within a month we will declare new transport policy," a FICCI statement quoted him as saying.

The state public transport agencies, but for some in South and West, had been making losses, he said and added, the Centre was ready to extend support to them, including sourcing finance from foreign agencies subject to their willingness to undergo a major transformation.

He also suggested states to shift from diesel to LNG.

"We will financially support innovations and research in the sector. I will also ask the automobile manufacturers to bring in new technologies, like the electric mobility card used for a bus ride. We can save much both in diesel and tickets," said Gadkari.

Dilip Chenoy, FICCI Secretary General, said the stakeholders must take up projects and make investments and help in transforming the sector.