Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari Says He Won't Allow Driverless Cars In India: Explains Why

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has once again made it clear that driverless cars will not be permitted in India. Speaking at the 7th Edition of the FICCI Road Safety Awards & Symposium 2025 in Delhi, he said protecting jobs for drivers takes precedence over adopting autonomous vehicle technology.

Jobs Over Technology

Gadkari stressed that while driverless technology is advanced, India cannot afford to lose the employment opportunities it generates. The transport sector provides jobs to an estimated 70–80 lakh people, including truck, taxi, auto-rickshaw drivers and private chauffeurs. With limited alternatives in the informal economy, replacing these jobs with machines could trigger large-scale unemployment.

The minister also linked his opposition to the wider challenge of joblessness in India, pointing out that youth unemployment in the 15–29 age group already stood at around 10% in 2022–23. Introducing a technology that could remove millions of jobs would worsen this problem and disrupt livelihoods across the country.

Focus On Training And Road Safety

At the same event, Gadkari underlined the importance of improving driver training to cut down road accidents. He highlighted that nearly 4,000 old vehicles are being scrapped every week because of poor conditions such as faulty brakes. Alongside scrapping, the government is expanding driver training centres, fitness centres and scrapping hubs to improve safety.

Gadkari believes trained human drivers remain essential for safe road use. Removing them entirely, he argued, would eliminate an important layer of oversight. He urged NGOs, schools and social organisations to spread road safety awareness, especially among students in classes 10 and 12, as changing human behaviour remains central to reducing accidents.

Challenges For Autonomous Cars In India

Global automakers like Tesla have shown interest in India, but Gadkari has consistently said they must manufacture locally and cannot expect approval for fully autonomous vehicles. Critics argue this could slow India’s entry into next-generation automotive technology, but Gadkari maintains that India’s social and economic conditions demand a different approach compared to developed nations.

He also noted that Indian road conditions make it particularly difficult for autonomous vehicles to function reliably. Unlike the regulated environments in countries where self-driving cars are being tested, India’s roads carry a mix of bicycles, bullock carts, motorcycles, cars, buses and trucks, often without strict lane discipline. This complexity challenges even the most advanced vehicle algorithms.

Employment First, Technology Later

Beyond job protection, Gadkari’s argument connects to the wider economy. Millions of drivers not only earn their livelihood through transport but also support household spending and local commerce. A sudden reduction in these jobs could impact demand across sectors, reducing overall economic activity.

The minister also pointed out that other major markets are still moving cautiously on autonomous vehicle adoption, with regulations and safety concerns slowing progress. India’s policy of prioritising jobs while gradually improving road safety infrastructure represents, in his view, a balanced path.