Steel and Cement Cartels Hurt Infrastructure Gadkari Calls for Change

Steel and Cement Cartels Hurt Infrastructure Gadkari Calls for Change

Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari has highlighted the challenges posed by “cartels” in the steel and cement industries, which are essential for the country’s infrastructure development. Gadkari, speaking at the IECRP 2025 exhibition, stated that these industries are dominated by a few key players who control pricing and are detrimental to India’s infrastructure progress.

“Steel and cement industries are in the hands of a few people. They always decide the rates. Their cartelism is a big problem for the country,” Gadkari remarked, emphasizing the need for intervention. To address this issue, Gadkari has advocated for Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) as a viable alternative to steel and cement. He offered support to the FRP industry, which he believes can break the dominance of entrenched players. FRP can be utilized across various sectors, including infrastructure, aviation, shipping, road construction, and metro rail. However, Gadkari urged the FRP industry to reduce prices by 20-25 percent compared to steel and cement, making it more competitive and cost-effective.

He emphasized that the FRP industry must invest in research and development, especially in identifying the right raw materials and focusing on domestic production to ensure its success. “If you can reduce the rate by 20-25 percent, it can be a really good thing for the country,” Gadkari said, addressing the FRP industry participants. In his speech, Gadkari also expressed his ambitions for the country’s energy sector, aiming to bring down the cost of hydrogen production to USD 1 per kg, a move that could potentially transform India into a net exporter of energy. Additionally, he reiterated his goal of making India the largest global auto hub within the next five years, building on the country’s current position as the third-largest automotive producer.