Did Nitin Gadkari Announce To Introduce Flying Bus? The Truth Behind the Viral Remark
At the Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway launch on July 13, 2026, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari reiterated his vision for 'flying buses' to tackle urban traffic. The term refers to driverless electric aerial pods and double-decker trolley buses running on elevated rail lines. While 13 designs are under review, economic viability remains the main challenge.
During the inauguration of the landmark Kanpur-Lucknow Expressway on July 13, 2026, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari once again drew public attention with comments regarding the introduction of "flying buses". The remark, made in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, quickly went viral across social media platforms, prompting questions about what these futuristic vehicles actually entail.
Speaking at the launch event of the 63-kilometer, six-lane high-tech expressway, Gadkari emphasized the need to completely rethink urban mobility and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In a lighthearted yet intentional moment during his address, he reiterated his vision of introducing buses that operate "in the air".
This is not the first time Gadkari has pitched the concept to address regional congestion. The Minister has consistently championed alternative transit infrastructure over the last few years:
- February 2022: During an election campaign in Prayagraj, Gadkari announced that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was underway to evaluate sky-bus lines connecting Delhi and Prayagraj.
- September 2022: He urged municipal authorities in Pune to adopt elevated trolley buses to ease the city's notorious commuter gridlock.
- June 2025: In an interview regarding severe traffic choke points in Bengaluru and Delhi, Gadkari confirmed that the government had received over 360 global transport proposals, narrowing down 13 specific technology designs from the US, Europe and Russia for trial pilots.
What Are India's 'Flying Buses'?
According to a report by NDTV, the "flying buses" frequently cited by Gadkari are technically driverless electric aerial pods and double-decker trolley buses. These systems run on dedicated, elevated overhead rail networks or cable lines suspended above existing roadways.
The primary specifications of the proposed transit system include:
- Passenger Capacity: High-capacity double-decker pods designed to transport up to 135 passengers per unit.
- Power Source: 100% electric operation utilizing rapid "flash-charging" technology from engineering firms like Siemens and Hitachi, allowing vehicles to charge fully within 30 seconds while stopped at passenger bays.
- Objective: Providing a mass transit system that is significantly cheaper to run than traditional diesel fleets, while operating completely independently of street-level traffic congestion.
The Ministry continues to stress that while the technology proposals are highly advanced, the primary hurdle remains economic viability. The government aims to verify that these elevated pod systems can operate at fares comparable to or cheaper than existing metro and public bus networks before launching full-scale commercial corridors.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2026 04:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).