50% fossil fuel by 2030; 'Net Zero' 2070: PM Modi assures

Gandhinagar: India plans to become 'Net Zero' carbon emission by 2070, and by 2030, 50 per cent of its energy production will be through non-fossil fuels, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured on Sunday.

Addressing a public rally on the 40 years anniversary of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, he said that there is a silent revolution taking form in India, raising demand for electric vehicles (EV) and both state and Central governments have extended incentives and subsidies for them.

He recalled his first interaction with Suzuki's Chairman 13 years ago, saying, "When the Suzuki Chairman showed interest in setting up a plant in Gujarat, I was confident that with each passing year, the company would come to know how much Gujarat is committed to development."

The PM said, "I wanted to create a mini-Japan in Gujarat, to some extent, the Japanese have been provided experience back home. Now the state has many golf courses and Japanese restaurants, and even locals have started learning Japanese. Even Japan has a special love for Gujarat, and as many as 125 Japanese companies are functioning in the state. It looks like mini-Japan."

Later he acknowledged Japan's 'Kaizen' management concept. He brought the Kaizen-related experiences and learning of Gujarat to PMO (Prime Minister's Office) and other Central government departments.