Gadkari outlines how innovation, sustainability and infrastructure reforms will drive India’s long-term growth.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with iTV Executive Editor Manoj Manu (Photo: File)
NEW DELHI: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that development and progress are continuous processes and stressed that innovation, technology and sustainability are central to India’s growth story.
Addressing India News Manch, Gadkari said, “Development and progress are continuous processes. Changes are happening at a very large scale—not only in lifestyle or clothing, but across all sectors.”
Highlighting the role of technology, he said knowledge today is closely linked with agriculture, industry and infrastructure.
“Innovation, entrepreneurship, science, technology, research, schemes and successful practices together form knowledge, and conversion of knowledge into wealth is the future,” he said.
Gadkari underlined his belief in sustainable practices, stating, “No material is waste and no person should be left behind.”
He said the road sector has witnessed significant transformation, adding that what is visible today is only the beginning.
Speaking on major infrastructure projects, the minister said extensive work is underway on highways, tunnels, bridges, ropeways, cable cars and funicular railways.
“We are working on 260 projects, including green express highways, ropeways and cable cars,” he said.
Referring to innovative funding models, Gadkari cited the Kedarnath ropeway project, saying, “The project cost is Rs 5,000 crore, but we are not spending a single rupee. Instead, the company will pay us Rs 800 crore annually as royalty.”
On waste management, Gadkari said solid and liquid waste are being used productively in road construction.
“We have already used around 80 lakh tonnes of waste in road projects across Delhi, Dwarka, the Delhi-Mumbai Highway and the Ahmedabad–Dholera road,” he said.
He also spoke about crop residue management, stating that stubble is now being used to produce ethanol, bio-CNG, bio-bitumen and sustainable aviation fuel.
“Farmers are no longer just food providers; they are becoming energy providers,” Gadkari said.
Addressing road safety concerns, the minister acknowledged engineering lapses and said strict action was being taken.
“I want to send 10–20 contractors to jail and blacklist them. Officers will also be suspended if there are deficiencies,” he said, adding that perfection in road engineering is non-negotiable.
He said enforcement has been tightened and safety systems upgraded, noting that helmet rules have been strengthened and emergency assistance measures introduced.
“Anyone who helps an accident victim reach a hospital will be awarded Rs 25,000,” Gadkari said.
Touching upon public transport, Gadkari emphasised the need to reduce dependence on private vehicles.
He spoke about new electric buses equipped with modern amenities, saying, “The ticket cost is 30 per cent cheaper than diesel buses, and the facilities are comparable to air travel.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Gadkari said innovation does not necessarily come from formal degrees.
“I am not a scientist or an engineer. The greatest knowledge in life is practical knowledge,” he said.
Concluding, the minister reiterated that technology, sustainability and innovation would define India’s future growth.
“If roads improve, exports will increase, logistics costs will fall, and India will soon become number one in the world,” he asserted.
