Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is regarded one of the busiest ministers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet.
Heading two ministries – Road Transport and Highways, Shipping and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation – Gadkari is in-charge of some of the most important infrastructural development projects of the country.
In an exclusive interview to The Quint’s Editorial Director Sanjay Pugalia, Gadkari opened up on “his respect” for the navy, delay in various important infrastructure projects, the National Highway Authority of India’s impending bonds, and the state of public transport in the country.
Criticism Over the Navy Comment
Responding to criticism over his remark that he wouldn’t allocate land to the navy in South Mumbai, Gadkari said that he respected the Indian Navy and that his “anger” was for the use of the land. He said his ministry was not giving permits to anyone to build any residential complex in the area.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said he planned to construct a garden in the 350-acre Mumbai Port Trust land, like the reclamation model in Singapore, as it would be a good source for oxygen.
Gadkari said that even though India had a long coastline like that of USA and many European nations, decision making “doesn’t allow us to work.”
I brought in an amphibious bus which can run on land as well as water. But it is sitting idle for a year now. I couldn’t start the service because it needs a ramp to get in the sea.Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister
When working for public interest, one expects “coordination of agencies,” he added.
On Inter-Agency Coordination
When pointed out that he did not seem too pleased with the support from other agencies, he said there was delay in infrastructural projects due to the involvement of several departments.
Gadkari opined that ministries must work together to ensure that there was a balance between environmental conservation and development.
He, however, said he did not favour “eccentric development” at the cost of the environment.
Dhaula Kuan’s Perennial Traffic Congestion
When asked about the traffic congestion in Delhi’s Dhaula Kuan, the Road Transport and Highways Minister said that the faulty design of the Delhi Metro and the military cantonment are responsible for the same.
The design of the Metro is faulty because the military didn’t give the DMRC proper space. Had the military done so, a wider road would have been constructed. I am trying to improve it.Nitin Gadkari
What’s in Store for Infrastructure in Budget 2018
Gadkari hoped Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would keep in mind the various infrastructural projects – including construction of new bus ports and expressways as well as five river interlinking projects – when allocating funds to his ministries.
Elaborating on the river interlinking plan, the BJP leader said:
The plan to launch five new projects on the river interlinking plan would cost Rs 1.5 lakh crore. If the Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) allows us to take a loan from a foreign nation, I believe we’ll be able to fulfil the dream of our Prime Minister to double the income of farmers by 2022.
The Land Acquisition Dilemma
Dismissing that land acquisition was an area of concern for the Narendra Modi government, Gadkari said it was not an issue that was “impossible” to solve.
The Union Minister said he held meetings with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Uttarakhand Chief Minister TS Rawat – with another meeting set to be held with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath – to discuss and find solutions to the issues faced by the states in this regard.
Assured Return on NHAI Bonds
When asked about the introduction of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) bonds, Gadkari said they would be introduced in March or April this year, as his ministry now has surplus money.
He assured that those who invest would get an interest of 7.75 to 8 percent on their returns.
Public Transport Ignored?
The Transport Minister conceded that public transportation does not get the desired attention from the government, but there was scope of improving the same.
“If people are given options, they will adapt to it. Look at how people travelling between Mumbai and Pune. First they used trains, then flights, and now the expressway is their most preferred way of travelling,” Gadkari said.
The Cabinet Minister said he hoped to start a sea plane from Mumbai to Shirdi, where a person would be able to complete their darshan and return in three hours.
India can fly 10,000 sea planes in two years, he said.
Adopting Biodiesel, Electric Cars
It would take a lot of change the mindset of the people to adopt biodiesel or electric cars. However, Gadkari thinks otherwise.
“Suppose a person spends Rs 5000 per month to drive petrol cars, and is told that using electric cars will reduce that to Rs 1,000, he or she will start using it,” he said.
Around 200 electric taxis have been introduced in Nagpur along with 20 charging stations. In the coming days, many companies will introduce electric bikes and ethanol-based engines, he said.
Mark my words, things will dramatically change in the next six months to a year. The country will run on eco-friendly vehicles. You won’t even know when the switch happened.Nitin Gadkari
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