News Analysis India

Tag: Nitin Gadkari

  • Gadkari wanted to teach a lesson to Fadnavis, says Congress leader; Union minister rubbishes claim

    By PTI

    NANDED: Senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari wanted to “teach a lesson” to his party colleague Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar claimed during an election rally in the state on Thursday.

    While the Congress leader implied that Gadkari was talking about Fadnavis, Gadkari himself denied that he had ever said anything against the former chief minister.

    Wadettiwar was campaigning for Congress candidate Jitesh Antapurkar for byelection to Deglur Assembly constituency in central Maharashtra’s Nanded district.

    “Roads in Nanded will be better now as the Public Works Department Minister (Ashok Chavan) is from Nanded. A few days ago, a meeting was held with Union Minister for Roads and Transport Nitin Gadkari where he agreed to give funds for projects in the state,” he said during the rally.

    People in Nagpur know that there are two big “faces” (leaders) in that city, that is, Gadkari and Fadnavis, and the two do not get along, he further said.

    “Gadkari said into the ear (during the meeting) that he wanted to teach a lesson to him. And he taught a lesson,” Wadettiwar said, without specifying who was “him”.

    But in a statement issued in Nagpur through his personal assistant, Gadkari said he never spoke against Fadnavis.

    “I had never said anything to Vijay Wadettiwar in secret. He should not make such irresponsible, false and baseless statements and indulge in mischievous politics,” he said.

    “Devendra Fadnavis is like my younger brother. Besides, he is an important leader of my party. Speaking ill of each other is the culture of Congress,” Gadkari added.

    Maharashtra progressed during Fadnavis’ tenure as chief minister and he was doing excellent work as the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly now, the BJP leader added.

    Congress leaders have been sidelined in the coalition government in Maharashtra which includes the Shiv Sena and NCP, and hence they are frustrated and making such statements to sow confusion, he said.

  • Need to boost biofuel production to reduce dependence on import of crude oil, fuel gases: Nitin Gadkari

    By PTI

    INDORE: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday stressed the need to enhance the production of biofuel in the country by using the stubble of certain crops to reduce the dependence on the import of crude oil and fuel gases and said he had converted his tractor into a CNG vehicle.

    Gadkari virtually addressed the International Soy Conclave organised by the Soyabean Processors Association of India (SOPA) here in Madhya Pradesh.

    “I have converted my (diesel-run) tractor into a CNG-powered vehicle. We should encourage the production of bio CNG and bio LNG using the stubble of crops like soybean, wheat, paddy, cotton etc to reduce the dependence on imports of crude oil and fuel gases. This will generate additional income for farmers,” the Road Transport and Highways Minister said.

    Gadkari’s suggestion came at a time when the retail prices of petrol and diesel have skyrocketed in the country following the rise in the rates of crude oil in the international market.

    The Union minister said India is currently importing 65 per cent of the total edible oil it needs at the cost of Rs 1.40 lakh crore every year.

    “Due to import, the prices of edible oils are high in the country’s retail market while on the other hand domestic oil seed-growing farmers are not getting good prices for their produce,” he said.

    Gadkari stressed the need to develop GM (Genetically Modified) seeds for soybean on the lines of mustard to remove its shortcomings to ensure that the country becomes self-reliant in the production of edible oil.

    “I have also discussed this (issue of GM seeds for soybean) with Prime Minister. I know that many people in the country are opposed to GM seeds. But we could not stop the import of soybean oil, extracted from GM soybeans, from other countries,” he said.

    Gadkari said the people should be made aware of the development of GM soybean seeds in India.

    He also underlined the need to conduct detailed research on making food products from Soya oil cake (residue after the extraction of oil from soybean seeds) to address malnutrition, especially in tribal areas.

    “Thousands of tribals in our country are dying of malnutrition due to the lack of protein (in their diet). Soya cake is rich in protein,” he said.

    The BJP MP from Maharashtra also appealed to agricultural scientists in the country to try to initiate a joint seed development programme with top global producers of the soybean crop, including the USA, Brazil and Argentina, to increase the per-acre production capacity of this oilseed.

  • Planning law to use sounds of Indian musical instruments only for vehicle horns: Gadkari

    By PTI

    NASHIK: Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said he was planning to bring a law under which only the sound of Indian musical instruments can be used as a horn for vehicles.

    Speaking at a highway inauguration ceremony here, Gadkari said he was also studying the sirens used by ambulances and police vehicles and replace them with a more pleasant tune played on the All India Radio.

    Gadkari said he put an end to red beacons.

    “Now I want to put an end to these sirens as well. Now I am studying the sirens (used by) ambulances and police. “An artist composed a tune of Akashwani (All Indian Radio) and it was played early in the morning. I am thinking of using that tune for ambulances so that people feel pleasant. It is so irritating, especially after ministers pass by, the sirens are used at full volume. This also harms the ears. “I am studying this and soon planning to make a law that the horns of all vehicles should be in Indian musical instruments so that it is pleasant to hear. Flute, tabla, violin, mouth organ, harmonium,” Gadkari said.

    The Union minister said the new Mumbai-Delhi highway worth Rs 1 lakh crore is already under construction, but it goes through Bhiwandi and reaches the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust – the periphery of Mumbai.

    Gadkari said the ministry is already building a highway on the Vasai creek.

    He said as the then PWD minister of Maharashtra, he could not link Bandra-Worli to Vasai-Virar.

    “I plan to build a bridge in the sea and link it to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and then it should take 12 hours (to cover the distance between) Nariman Point to Delhi. This will decongest the Western Express Highway,” Gadkari said.

    He said 5 lakh accidents take place in India every year claiming the lives of 1.5 lakh people and lakhs are injured.

    We lose 3 per cent of our GDP due to accidents, he added.

    Accidents on the Mumbai-Pune highway have come down by 50 per cent.

    Tamil Nadu government has brought down accidents and deaths by 50 per cent, but in Maharashtra, similar success could not be achieved, he said.

    Maharashtra has a high rate of people dying due to accidents, the Union minister said.

    Gadkari also said he had made six airbags compulsory for vehicles.

  • Nitin Gadkari hits out at sugar barons of Maharashtra; asks farmers to change crop pattern

    Express News Service

    Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said sugar mills were producing an excess of 70 lakh tonne sugar, way higher than the demand, and hence asked the state governments not to give permission for establishing new mills.

    Attacking the sugar barons of Maharashtra, Gadkari said “India needs 240 lakh tonnes of sugar while the production is 310 lakh tonnes”.

    “It means that we produce 70 lakh tonne of extra sugar. Government should not give any permission to any new mills. Otherwise, the situation will get worse. If no one takes sugar, that will worsen the situation of the farmers,” the union minister said.

    He also warned that if the economic cycle reversed, farmers would not be able to afford it, banks would collapse and factories would close.

    “The price of sugar in Brazil was Rs 22 per kg two months ago. We had set a minimum price of Rs 31 per kg of sugar. I am also on that committee. We wanted to increase the price of sugar by Rs 2 but did not increase it. Because everyone thought sugar would be expensive. But today, sugar production in Brazil is low. There is famine there. So in two to three months, there was a slight rise in sugar. Therefore, it is necessary to export as much sugar as possible,” he said adding the farmers should also transform their crops pattern.

    Gadkari also said that they have to reduce the formula from sugarcane to sugar and need to go for ethanol.

    “Sugar factories should start the ethanol pump at their factory and wherever it is possible. I will ensure the permission of ethanol pumps and even give the agencies of vehicles that run on ethanol. Ethanol fuel is not only cheaper but also reduces pollutions. In Brazil, the planes also run on ethanol fuel. We have to change our old habits of using petrol and diesel that cost the heavy price to government and customers also,” Gadkari.

    Gadkari was in Ahmednagar inaugurating development works.

  • ‘Gadkari has shown how power can be used’: Sharad Pawar lauds Union minister

    By PTI

    PUNE: NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday lauded Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari for using power effectively to carry out development.

    The two leaders from rival parties shared the dais at a function at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra.

    “I am attending this function because I was told that Gadkari was going to inaugurate many projects in Ahmednagar which would solve long-pending issues of the city, and he wants me to be present,” Pawar said.

    Very often nothing happens once the stone-laying ceremony takes place for a project, the NCP leader said, adding, “But when it comes to Gadkari’s projects, within a few days of the function one sees the work starting.

    “Gadkari is a great example of how a people’s representative can work for the development of the country,” Pawar added.

    “I remember that before Gadkari took over this responsibility (of the ministry of road transport and highways), about 5,000 km of work had been done. But after he took over, the figure has crossed 12,000 km,” the NCP chief said.

    The former Union agriculture minister advised farmers in the region that the use of sugarcane will not remain limited only to sugar production and they should think of it as the raw material for ethanol too.

    In his speech, Gadkari said while executing road projects in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also de-silted local rivers and streams.

    “I suggest (Maharashtra Rural Development Minister) Hasan Mushrif to think of focusing on water conservation in Ahmednagar district,” he said.

    Mushrif, an NCP leader who is also the guardian minister of this parched district, was present at the function.

    Increasing the depth of streams and ponds helps increase the groundwater level, Gadkari said.

  • Country needs at least 600 medical colleges, 50 AIIMS-like institutions, says Nitin Gadkari

    By PTI

    PUNE: The country needs at least 600 medical colleges, 50 AIIMS-like institutions and 200 super-specialty hospitals, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Saturday as he called for the need to replicate the infrastructure development sector’s public-private partnership model in the health care and education sectors.

    The Road Transport and Highways Minister was speaking at the felicitation of COVID-19 warriors in Karad city of Maharashtra’s Satara district.

    He said the cooperative sector should also come forward to set up medical facilities.

    “Once during a discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I told him about the scarcity of ventilators. He asked me how many ventilators were there in the country, to which I replied there must be around 2.5 lakh. But he told me that there were only 13,000 ventilators when the coronavirus pandemic broke out in the country,” Gadkari said.

    There was lack of oxygen, beds, and other medical facilities at that time.

    But doctors, paramedical, nurses helped a lot in those times, he said, adding, “I appreciate their work.”

    Apart from the government-run hospitals, the contribution of medical facilities set up by the cooperative and private sectors was commendable, the minister said.

    “The public-private investment model in the road and infrastructure development sector can be replicated in health care and education sectors. The country needs a minimum of 600 medical colleges, 50 AIIMS-like institutions and 200 super-specialty hospitals. The government is also thinking of providing help to those social organisations that work in medical and education sectors,” Gadkari said.

    He also stressed the need to have at least one veterinary hospital in every tehsil.

  • Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to fetch Rs 1,000 cr to 1,500 crore revenues every month, says Gadkari

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Centre will get toll revenues worth Rs 1,000 to 1,500 crore every month once the much-awaited Delhi-Mumbai Expressway becomes operational in 2023, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday and described state-owned NHAI as a “gold mine” for generating income.

    Steering the ambitious drive to expand the country’s road infrastructure for the past seven years, a confident Gadkari also asserted that National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will rake in annual toll income to the tune of Rs 1.40 lakh crore in the next five years from the current level of Rs 40,000 crore.

    Gadkari, who just completed a whirlwind tour to assess the progress of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway that will pass through four states apart from the national capital, said the national highways infrastructure is a world-class success story.

    “Once the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is completed and opened for the public, we will get at least Rs 1,000-1,500 crore as toll revenues every month,” he told PTI in an interview.

    The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway is likely to be completed by March 2023 and is being built as part of the first phase of the ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana’.

    The eight-lane expressway, covering Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, is expected to halve the commute time between the national capital and the country’s financial hub from nearly 24 hours to 12 hours.

    Against the backdrop of concerns being flagged about NHAI being saddled with high level of debt, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister pointed out that the nodal agency has received ‘AAA’ rating and all its road projects are productive.

    ‘AAA’ is one of the highest credit ratings and indicate robust financial position.

    “NHAI was not in a debt trap, and it will never be in debt trap in future. It is a gold mine, and is on strong footing in the next five years, NHAI’s toll income will rise to Rs 1.40 lakh crore per year from current toll income of Rs 40,000 crore,” Gadkari noted.

    In March, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture had expressed its displeasure over a whopping Rs 97,115 crore-debt servicing liability on NHAI.

    Recently, the minister informed Rajya Sabha that total borrowings of NHAI increased to Rs 3,06,704 crore at the end of March this year from Rs 74,742 crore in March 2017.

    While noting that investments in the infrastructure sector will create employment and accelerate the country’s economic growth, Gadkari said, “We (NHAI and the ministry) are working on projects worth lakhs of crores”.

    When the economy is on a decline, “then economics tells us that there is a need to increase investments in infrastructure”, he added.

    The country’s economy has been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and is slowly on the recovery path.

  • Tags to riches: Gadkari’s YouTube Expressway a hit with fans

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: They say politicians rake in crores, but Nitin Gadkari earns in lakhs.

    Check his YouTube videos and you’ll know.

    Gadkari recently said he gets Rs four lakh every month as royalty from YouTube, as viewership of his lecture videos posted on the popular video streaming platform has increased during the pandemic period.

    An aide to the senior Union minister told PTI that the earnings from YouTube may not always be as high as the sum he mentioned, but they are substantial as he has a large, dedicated following, always awaiting new videos for his frank – some say brutally frank – views on diverse topics.

    And the videos are aplenty.

    The aide says Gadkari addresses anywhere between five to seven ‘webinars’ daily from his residences in Nagpur or Delhi and has so far held around 1500 such virtual interactions during the pandemic.

    Soon after the first national lockdown was imposed, Gadkari started addressing events and various programmes through video link.

    Starting from April 2, 2020, Gadkari has been a part of almost 1500 such events, reaching out to crores of people across India and abroad, the aide says.

    Gadkari has 92 lakh followers on Twitter, 16 lakh followers on Facebook, 13 lakh followers on Instagram, and two lakh followers on YouTube.

    Content monetisation has helped him earn big bucks from YouTube.

    While the topics he has touched in the online interactions range from the ‘gym to gem’ sector, as the aide says, Gadkari holds forth with equal vigour while speaking on cooking as he does on the expressways he has built.

    Gadkari, a self-proclaimed foodie, says he started cooking at home during the pandemic.

    His YouTube channel began in 2015 but has become more active during the pandemic.

    It has all his speeches, press conferences, and media bytes garnering thousands of views.

    Those who like the videos also tag them, bringing more viewership.

    Gadkari was invited by international organisations, universities to deliver speeches virtually during the pandemic and all those videos were uploaded on his YouTube channel, the aide says.

    In these virtual interactions, Gadkari’s approach is to ask people to convert adversity into opportunity, the aide says.

    Through his numerous webinars, Gadkari has interacted with chambers of commerce, economic forums, students, scientists, entrepreneurs, foreign investors, and Indians abroad.

    Two Nagpur-based journalists, Rahul Pande and Sarita Kaushik are bringing out a book titled ‘Unmasking India’ after going through almost 500 of these webinars.

    They said the book is a compilation of amazing thoughts articulated by Gadkari on Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

    Pande said Gadkari has had online interactions with leading doctors, engineers, policymakers, and secretaries in most state and Central government departments.

    These people shared their problems with Gadkari, who guided them towards solutions, he said.

    The range of topics covered is diverse, from micro, small and medium industry to agriculture, forestry, transport, and green energy.

    Gadkari not only interacted with prominent builders or real estate sector players but also reached out to Gadchiroli district tribals who collect honey and tendu leaves for livelihood.

    During his online lectures and interactions, Gadkari has spoken of his road map for cluster-driven growth along highways, with equal stress on boosting agriculture and creating value out of farm and forest produce to bring economic prosperity in rural India, Pande says.

  • Serving last man in queue is real aim of politics: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

    By PTI

    JAIPUR:  The real objective of politics is to bring about a change in the life of the common man standing last in the queue but unfortunately, it is considered nowadays a means to grab power, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday.

    Gadkari made the remark reflecting Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy on making decisions and how they would benefit the last man in the queue while addressing a seminar in Rajasthan Assembly on Parliamentary System and People’s Expectations.

    “Politics is an instrument to bring about a social and economic change. The real purpose of democracy is to make the people standing at the last rung of the society prosperous and improve their lives through this. This should be the purpose of politics as well. But, unfortunately nowadays the meaning of politics is understood only to get into power,” Gadkari said.

    Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari said that it is the behaviour and character of a person that decides the future of democracy. “The better we are, the stronger and better our democracy will be. That is why we remain loyal to our ideology. Only on this basis, a strong nation can be built by effecting social and economic changes,” he said.

    Gadkari said problems are plenty but it is the responsibility of the legislature to bring about a qualitative change leading to the social and economic upliftment of the society. “Problems are there everywhere — within the party, outside the party, in the constituency — but overcoming the problem and bringing about a qualitative change is the quality of a successful leader,” he said.

    Observing that many states, including Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand face the problem of scarcity of drinking water, Gadkari suggested improving the country’s irrigation infrastructure as a way out of the problem.

    Advocating for improving the irrigation facility, Gadkari said the country cannot be completely self-sufficient unless farmers become prosperous. He also urged legislators to improve the road infrastructure and water conservation, which, he said, would increase the country’s GDP and boost its holistic growth.

    The seminar was organised by the Rajasthan chapter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

    Assembly Speaker and CPA’s Rajasthan chapter president CP Joshi, Leader of Opposition and CPA vice president Gulab Chand Kataria and independent MLA and CPA secretary Sanyam Lodha also addressed the session.

  • Mumbai-Delhi Expressway: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to inspect Madhya Pradesh stretch in Indore

    By PTI

    INDORE: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will inspect the Madhya Pradesh stretch of the under construction 8-lane Delhi-Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway on September 16 in Indore, an official said on Monday.

    The project, scheduled for completion in November next year at an estimated cost of Rs 8,437 crore, will pass through Mandsaur (102.4 km), Ratlam (90.1 km) and Jhabua (52 km), covering a total distance of 245 km in MP, a National Highway Authority of India official said.

    “Out of this 245 km, construction of 106 km road is already completed and the rest of the work will be completed by November 2022. Some 2,674 hectares of revenue land and 217 hectares of forest land were acquired for the project in the three MP districts,” he said.

    In the three districts in the state, the 8-lane expressway will have 214 bridges, 511 culverts, 100 small and big underpasses and seven toll booths, with passenger amenities being developed at 12 places, the official informed.