Govt's stand on driverless cars akin to opposition to computers in 1980s

Before India simply shuts the door on driverless cars, it needs to see the opportunities it offers

The Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has gone all out to declare, “No driverless cars will be allowed in India". The National Institute for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) was established under the incumbent National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in January 2015 as a premier policy think tank to encourage innovation in India and promote the country as a knowledge hub. Therefore, is Gadkari saying that innovation is not welcome in India?

Let’s rewind a little. When Rajiv Gandhi first introduced computers in 1985 to revolutionise India’s communication, he met with much criticism and opposition. Similar concerns were raised back then