Nitin Gadkari has once again grabbed national attention by saying flying buses will soon be part of India's public transport system.
Gadkari told me that his ministry is working on several innovative mobility solutions to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity. The projects being carried out in the country included flying buses, a cable funicular railway, seaplanes, and advanced electric mass transit systems.
A 30-second video clip of his speech suddenly went viral on the internet, and many users were surprised at the futuristic vision. Some also joked that India should first fix its pothole-ridden roads before introducing vehicles that fly above them.
The conversation soon turned to India’s existing road infrastructure. While futuristic transport concepts are nice, the government should focus on road quality and safety issues, and not just on new things, critics said. Many also made the point that potholes are still a major cause of thousands of accidents and deaths in the country every year, and road maintenance must be a priority.
But Gadkari’s supporters defended his long-term vision, pointing to his track record of infrastructure development. Gadkari has been in charge of the Road Transport and Highways Ministry since 2014 and expanded India’s national highway network, helped drive expressway construction, promoted electric mobility, and encouraged alternative transport technologies.
And his ministry has also supported seaplane connectivity, electric buses, ropeways in hilly regions, and other innovative transport projects to reduce travel time and increase accessibility.
The concept of a flying bus is based on next-generation urban air mobility technology being explored in several countries. These vehicles are expected to operate using electric propulsion systems and vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. There are several global companies that are testing similar concepts, but commercialization is still in the early stages.
Experts believe that before such services can be implemented in India, significant progress will be needed in aviation regulations, air traffic management, charging infrastructure, passenger safety standards, and affordable services.
Even with the mixed responses, Gadkari’s announcement reignited a national conversation about transportation in a new way. Whether flying buses will be an option in the future or not, this is a discussion of India’s continuing commitment to a futuristic way of transportation.
Now, the idea of buses flying above city traffic remains an ambitious one– but one that has certainly captured the imagination of millions.
