Page 9 - Nitin Gadkari

Was offered support to enter race for PM post, but declined, claims Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said a political leader once offered to support him if he were to enter the race for the Prime Minister's post, but he declined the offer stating that he did not nurse that ambition. "I remember one incident -- I would not name anyone -- that person said 'if you are going to become prime minister, we will support you," Gadkari said at a journalism awards function here, without specifying when the conversation took place. "But, I asked why you should support me, and why should I take your support. To become the prime minister is not the aim in my life. I am loyal to my conviction and my organisation, and I am not going to compromise for any post because my conviction is foremost for me," the senior BJP leader added. In his speech, Gadkari underlined the importance of ethics in both journalism and politics. Recalling a meeting with a senior CPI functionary, Gadkari said he told the communist leader that late A B Bardhan was among the tallest

No toll up to 20 km on highways: How new satellite-based toll system works

Under new rules, private vehicles with GNSS can travel up to 20 km daily for free on select highways; a fee will be applied beyond 20 km

Auto sector needs to focus on customer service, quality assurance: Gadkari

The Indian automobile industry is at the cusp of a revolution and it needs to focus on customer service, after-sales and quality assurance, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. In a video message to the Auto Retail Conclave organised by Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways acknowledged that automotive dealers play a key role in realising the government's mission of a self-reliant India. "The automotive industry is at the cusp of the revolution, and as we look to the future, it is critical that the sector continues to innovate, especially in areas like customer service, after-sales and quality assurance," Gadkari said. The minister further said, "As a distributor of automobiles, you play a pivotal role in the government mission of 'make in India' and contribute significantly to realising our vision of self reliant India." Stating that the government deeply values the role that FADA and its members play

Road accidents causing 19 deaths every hour; Nitin Gadkari raises alarm

The Union Minister urged all motor vehicle manufacturers to establish driving schools to ensure awareness of local rules and regulations.

Indian EV market potential likely to touch Rs 20 trillion by 2030: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari forecasts India's EV market could hit Rs 20 trillion and 10 million annual sales by 2030. He expects the sector to create 5 million jobs

I am not against incentives on EVs, but its not my call: Nitin Gadkari

Within two years, the cost of an EV will be the same as petrol and diesel vehicles. They don't need subsidies as there already is an advantage with electric as a fuel, he says

EVs can maintain cost without subsidies but won't oppose incentive: Gadkari

With falling lithium-ion battery prices, electric vehicles can now maintain cost without subsidies but it is for the finance and heavy industries ministries to decide if incentives need to be given to electric vehicles, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday. Speaking at the annual session of Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Gadkari, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said within two years, the cost of EVs will be the same with their petrol and diesel counterparts. "First of all, I am not against any subsidies. I don't have any problem," Gadkari said when asked if more incentives were needed to accelerate electric mobility as adoption in India has not been as expected. Elaborating his views, he said at one point the price of the lithium ion battery was USD 150 per kilowatt hour. Now it is something USD 108 to 110 per kilowatt hour. "I am confident it will come to USD 100," he asserted. Moreover, he said the manufacturing of EVs has witnessed

Substantial subsidies for electric vehicles are no longer required: Gadkari

At the BNEF Summit, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the lower GST rates on electric vehicles compared to those on petrol and diesel vehicles

India's highway overhaul: 74 tunnels to transform road infrastructure

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will build 74 new tunnels across India, spanning 273 km, with an estimated cost of Rs 1 trillion

Stainless steel could have prevented Shivaji statue collapse: Nitin Gadkari

Amid the controversy surrounding the Shivaji statue collapse in Maharashtra, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari suggested using stainless steel for coastal roads

Nitin Gadkari backs 51% stake to foreign partners in JV tunnel projects

Nitin Gadkari supported allowing foreign partners to hold up to 51% in tunnel projects, aiming to attract serious bidders and emphasised cost-effective, sustainable solutions

Nitin Gadkari wants states to pitch for GST cut on flex-fuel vehicles

Share of biofuel will be 50% of fossil fuels in five years, says minister

Nitin Gadkari asks state FM's to reduce GST on flex-fuel vehicles to 12%

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday said state finance ministers should consider reducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) on flex-fuel vehicles to 12 per cent. Addressing IFGE's India Bio-Energy & Tech Expo, Gadkari also said there is a need to reduce imports of fossil fuels and encourage the use of biofuel. "We need support from the finance ministers of different states. I asked Maharashtra's FM to attend the meeting and propose the reduction of GST on flex-fuel engine cars," he said. Flex-fuel-compatible cars can run on more than one type of fuel and also on a mixture. Typically, a blend of petrol and ethanol or methanol is used. The road transport and highways minister informed that he had requested Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to consider reducing taxes on flex-fuel vehicles. In a separate meeting with the Maharashtra Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, Gadkari suggested him attend a GST meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the issue. Gadkari als

Buying a new car? Check discounts under the scrappage policy

Ahead of the festive season, several car and commercial vehicle manufacturers have agreed to offer discounts of 1.5-3 per cent on new vehicle purchases when scrapping old vehicles.

Credible media key for democracy's qualitative transformation: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said credible media is important for the qualitative transformation of democracy and socio-economic development of the country. Addressing an event here, Gadkari said every politician expects media support, but the media should support what is good for democracy and the country. He noted that once upon a time, people were only dependent on print media and electronic media, now they are dependent on social media. "In media, what we need is credibility, goodwill...people are expecting information from the media by which they can make the qualitative transformation of our democracy," the minister said. "Socio-economic transformation is the ultimate aim for all of us, for that reason role of the media is very important," he added. "Now everyone is interested in understanding information," he said. Gadkari said that India is the fastest growing economy in the world and its dream is to make India 'Atmanirbhar' and 'USD 5 trillion economy'. Acco

Road accidents claim more lives than wars, militancy, Naxalism: Gadkari

More people have lost their lives in India in road accidents than wars, militancy and Naxalism, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday. Addressing the sixth Edition of FICCI Road Safety Awards and Conclave 2024, Gadkari further said the number of blackspots is increasing because of bad detailed project reports (DPRs) of road projects. "More people have lost lives in road crashes than wars, militancy and Naxalism," he said. According to Gadkari, India accounts for 5 lakh accidents and 1.5 lakh deaths annually, while 3 lakh people are injured. "This caused a 3 per cent loss to the country's GDP. Like a sacrificial lamb, a driver is blamed for every accident. Let me tell you, and I observe minutely -- often, the road engineering is at fault," he said. The minister emphasised on the need to conduct safety audit of all highways. He also noted that to reduce number of accidents, "we need to follow lane discipline". Gadkari added that the Ministry of

Nitin Gadkari assures expedited construction of Telangana-AP iconic bridge

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured he will expedite the construction of a double-decker cable-stayed iconic bridge between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the Krishna River, the Telangana government said on Saturday. The assurance came during a meeting with Telangana Tourism and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao in New Delhi. Gadkari responded positively to Rao's request to fast-track the project and assured him that all necessary procedures would be completed, with tenders set to be launched by September end, an official statement said. The Rs 1,082.56 crore-bridge, connecting Somashila in Telangana and Sangameshwar in Andhra Pradesh, has been pending for two years due to various reasons. Rao, during the meeting, had an extensive discussion on the bridge construction, which falls in the Kollapur constituency, as well as various national highway development projects in the Mahbubnagar district. The bridge is expected to promote environmental

UP govt assures Centre of timely resolution of issues in NH projects

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday assured the Centre of timely resolution of any issues in the execution of national highway projects in the state, an official statement said. At a meeting to review the progress of national highway projects here, the chief minister also said that departmental land will be provided free of charge for the expansion of national highways in Uttar Pradesh. Adityanath also placed a list of requirements related to national highways in the state before Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. The chief minister assured the central government that any issues in the implementation of national highways in the state would be resolved in a timely manner and the process of land acquisition and compensation distribution would be completed within the stipulated time. According to the statement, Adityanath underlined that the expansion of national highways will not stop in the state. He told the meeting that in 2017, the st

Logistics cost will be below 9% of GDP by April next year, says Gadkari

India's logistics cost will come down to 9 per cent of GDP by April next year, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday. Addressing an event here, Gadkari further said the country's exports will also increase when the logistics cost comes down to single digit. "Our logistics cost now is 16 per cent...It will come down to 9 per cent by April next year," he said. However, according to quick estimates of economic think tank National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), the logistics cost in India ranged from 7.8 per cent to 8.9 per cent of GDP in 2021-22. The road transport and highways minister noted that Indian economy needs to create more jobs. While noting that earlier governments did not give enough attention to rural sector, he said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is giving more priority to the agriculture sector. "We need to increase our agriculture growth...We need to increase per capita income in rural areas," Gadkari said. The minister n

Govt to allow 35% bio-bitumen mixing, saving Rs 10,000 cr in forex outflows

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will allow mixing of lignin up to 35 per cent in petroleum-based bitumen, a large part of which is imported from other countries. Bitumen is a black substance produced through the distillation of crude oil and is widely used for making roads and roofs. "We have the largest road network in the world. 90 per cent of roads are using bituminous layers. Bitumen consumption in 2023-24 was 88 lakh tonnes. In 2024-25 it is expected to be 100 lakh tonnes. 50 per cent of the bitumen is imported. And annual import cost is Rs 25,000-30,000 crore," Gadkari said while replying to questions in Rajya Sabha. The minister said the farmers are now not only producing foodgrains but they have become energy producers. Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, had developed bio-bitumen from paddy straw. The minister expressed concern that there is a problem of air pollution in Delhi