NEW DELHI: Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping Nitin Gadkari has said that a Bill adopting the best practices in the world in road transportation and safety standards will be brought soon.

Inaugurating the International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation, Gadkari said the Government is committed to improving safety of Indian roads.

The conference marks the golden jubilee celebrations of the Association of State Road Transport Undertaking (ASRTU) established on August 13, 1965.

Gadkari said the transport sector will be made corruption-free and transparent. He stessed the need to adopt new technologies such as GPS-based system, passenger information system, CCTV cameras, automatic fare collection system and electronic ticket vending. He asked the Indian automobile manufacturers to ensure international standards in vehicle manufacturing. The goal should be good quality at reasonable cost, he added. The Minister called for use of bio-diesel and other alternative fuels to reduce pollution.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Anant Geete said that his Ministry will fully cooperate with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways in the development of automobiles that are in line with the Make in India slogan of the Prime Minister as well as environmentally conducive. He also suggested that incentives can be given to manufacturers in this regard.

Vijay Chhibber, Secretary, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and President, ASRTU said that the need is to work in the direction of environment friendly transport system which is sustainable too. He said that steps should be taken in the direction of manufacturing hybrid vehicles and developing alternate fuels.

Gadkari presented the National Transport Excellence awards on the occasion and a coffee table book encapsulating the origin and journey of road transport in India was also released. A short film on public transport was also screened.

The International Conference and Exhibition on Public Transport Innovation – 2015 is a two-day event in which various topics are being discussed such as Sustainable Public Road Transport – Challenges & Future Road Map, Smart Vehicle Technologies & Alternate fuels, Women’s Safety & challenges in Public transport and future of Bus industry in India.