Ahmedabad, August 20: Gujarat’s Deputy Chief Minister, Harsh Sanghavi, urged restaurant owners and food delivery operators on Thursday to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) instead of petrol vehicles. He highlighted that this shift could reduce delivery costs from approximately ₹2.5 per kilometer to just 50 paise.
Speaking at the inauguration of the fifth Food Delivery Summit 2026, organized by the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) in Ahmedabad, Sanghavi emphasized the significant contribution of the food sector to the national economy, calling for greater recognition and support.
On the occasion of Renewable Energy Day, he appealed to businesses in the food delivery sector to prioritize electric vehicles over petrol-powered ones. Besides cost reduction, he noted that this transition would also aid in environmental conservation.
Sanghavi pointed out that the food and related businesses currently contribute around ₹5.69 lakh crore to the overall economy, with expectations to rise to ₹7.5 lakh crore in the coming years. This sector currently provides employment to over 7.5 million people, with potential job creation exceeding 10 million in the future. Few sectors offer such extensive employment opportunities.
He also highlighted the potential for food businesses in Gujarat’s tourist destinations, urging enterprises to look beyond major cities. He encouraged food businesses to consider establishing ventures at sites like the Statue of Unity, Shivrajpur Beach, Dharoi Dam, the White Rann of Kutch, and Gir.
Sanghavi assured that the state government would provide necessary infrastructure and facilities at these locations, supporting viable business ideas without imposing capital expenditure risks on businesses, allowing them to manage operational costs according to their needs.
He reiterated that Gujarat offers good returns on investment and assured that the state government would assist in developing food delivery systems from the Statue of Unity to Kutch and Gir.
Sanghavi also discussed opportunities presented by the GIFT City in Gandhinagar. He mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for GIFT City, initiated in 2007, initially seemed like a ‘divine dream,’ but it has since become a reality, attracting significant investments in the fintech sector and emerging as a major hub for bullion trading.
According to Sanghavi, GIFT City also offers numerous opportunities for the food sector, encouraging businesses to invest there and advance their plans.
During the one-day summit, over 5,000 participants from more than 1,500 brands across 30 cities engaged in various sessions and workshops.
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