Nagpur, Correspondent

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today said the development that did not take place in the country before 2014, has happened in the last 12 years. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Gadkari described the period as a “history of development”, asserting that sectors such as roads, ports and aviation had witnessed remarkable expansion.

He said the last 12 years of the Central government marked an unprecedented phase of development, claiming that several transformative projects launched since 2014 had significantly improved infrastructure, connectivity and economic growth across the country.

India has seen rapid growth in infrastructure. The road network has expanded, ports have developed and connectivity has improved. Air travel has become more accessible, and even common citizens are now flying,” he said.

Highlighting progress in Nagpur, Gadkari said implementation of the "Har Ghar Jal Yojana" had substantially improved water availability in the city, claiming public protests over water shortages had ceased. He further said Nagpur airport was on track to emerge as an international aviation hub and expressed optimism over the future use of aviation fuel derived from agricultural residue.

Claiming extensive development in the city, the union Minister said Nagpur had received more infrastructure works than initially anticipated. Emphasising sustainable fuel initiatives, Gadkari said he had appealed to the city’s Mayor and political leaders to shift their vehicles from petrol and diesel to biofuel and alternative fuel sources.

“We are producing bitumen from rice straw (parali) and aviation fuel is also being manufactured from agricultural waste. Talks are underway regarding a five per cent fuel blending model,” he said.

Reaffirming his vision to turn Nagpur into a green city, Gadkari said plantation of 2.5 million trees would be undertaken across the city and district under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. Saplings measuring two to three metres in height would be distributed to schools, universities, voluntary organisations, political parties and other stakeholders to boost plantation and conservation efforts.

Reviewing major welfare initiatives implemented over the past 12 years, Gadkari said more than 58 crore bank accounts had been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, while nearly 60 crore beneficiaries had availed healthcare support under Ayushman Bharat.

He said that around 11 crore LPG connections had been provided under the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana".
The Minister informed nearly 11 crore farmers were receiving annual financial support under the "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme'.

On employment generation, Gadkari said loans worth nearly Rs 35 lakh crore had been disbursed to 57 crore beneficiaries through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, benefiting small entrepreneurs and street vendors.
He added that the Startup India initiative had helped create 1.6 lakh startups and 118 unicorns, while nearly five crore youth had received skill training under the Skill India Mission over the last 12 years.

He also highlighted key institutional and infrastructure projects in Nagpur, including Oxygen Park, Bird Park, AIIMS, IIM, National Law University, IIIT, the Employees’ State Insurance Hospital at Butibori, the Buddhist Circuit Project, Deekshabhoomi Redevelopment Project, Sports Authority of India Centre and the Mother Dairy Project.
Stressing the importance of employment generation alongside infrastructure expansion, Gadkari said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had initiated driving training centres nationwide.

Under a policy announced in January 2025, around 1,600 such centres are proposed across the country. Of these, 24 are operational and 112 are in the pipeline, while nearly 10 lakh people have already received training. Once fully functional, these centres are expected to train nearly 1.15 crore individuals annually, creating substantial employment opportunities, he stated.

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