Will focus on boosting growth rate, employment generation: Gadkari
| Date :02-Jun-2019 |
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and MSME, waves at the crowd of his supporters and BJP workers on his arrival at Nagpur airport on Saturday morning
Staff Reporter:
125 crore trees to be planted along highways, says the Union Minister for Road Transport n Sets target to complete all highway projects in next three years
Nitin Gadkari, the second-term Member of Parliament from Nagpur and second-time Union Minister, got a rousing welcome on Saturday morning on his maiden arrival after swearing-in ceremony. A crowd of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers and common people welcomed him at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport. Later, Gadkari proceeded straight to his residence in Ramnagar, where he interacted with mediapersons. Clad in simple Khadi kurta, he answered every question in a composed manner and with a smile. Asked about him not getting Ministries of Water Resources, Shipping, and Ganga Rejuvenation, the Union Minister said that he got Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for the second time and also an important Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
“But, let me tell you that all irrigation projects in Maharashtra started during my tenure as Union Minister for Water Resources would be completed. The projects would get funds,” Gadkari said. Besides, the river Ganga will be clean before the end of March 2020, he assured. As much as 30 per cent of the work has been completed, and other works have started. As far as road projects are concerned, he said, works were in progress. Contracts have been awarded for 60 per cent of the works proposed under Mumbai-Delhi super expressway project.
Before the end of 2022, the expressway will be completed. It will be the world’s biggest expressway. “Also, there is a plan to develop stretches along the highways. I plan to provide several amenities along the stretch of the highways. In next three years, all highway projects will be completed. ‘Char Dham’ road project connecting Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri also will be completed as planned. I had planned to achieve road construction pace of 40 kms per day, but could achieve 32 kms per day. I will try to increase the pace,” Gadkari said.
While increasing the pace of road construction, he added, he planned to plant 125 crore trees – equal to the country’s population – along the highways. On the Ministry of MSME, the newly sworn-in Union Minister said that it had immense potential to generate employment and contribute to growth rate of the country. On Monday, he would attend a briefing of the Ministry and get details about schemes implemented by it. There is tremendous scope for generation of employment in Khadi, rural industries, agriculture sector. Export of Khadi clothes, honey, and drumsticks powder etc would be focus areas. Also, bamboo aviation fuel and light diesel are picking up.
A machine has been developed to powder the Drumsticks. Farmers can operate it on domestic electricity connection. “I envision export of 250 tonnes of Drumsticks powder. There are several such new ideas that I shall try to implement through MSME Ministry,” he added. Asked about plans, Gadkari said that he would get back to media once he had formulated concrete plans. Regarding the allotment of portfolios, he said that the portfolios he had got were good and important.
“Boosting the growth rate and increasing employment opportunities is a major task before the Government, and I look forward to contributing towards this goal,” he said. On the evaluation of his performance, he said with a smile, “It is for the people to evaluate. I shall keep on working.” Earlier, BJP workers had gathered outside terminal building. On his arrival, Gadkari waved at his supporters and thanked them for their support. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister of district; Nanda Jichkar, Mayor; Nisha Sawarkar, President of Zilla Parishad; Dr Rajiv Potdar, District President of BJP; Sudhakar Kohale, MLA and City President of the party; Sudhakar Deshmukh, Krishna Khopde, Vikas Kumbhare, Sudhir Parwe, D Mallikarjun Reddy, all of them MLA; Prof Anil Sole, Nago Ganar, Girish Vyas, all of them MLC; Ashok Mankar, former MLC; Sandip Joshi, Ruling Party Leader in Nagpur Municipal Corporation; Pravin Datke, former Mayor; Sanjay Bhende, Chairman of Nagpur Nagarik Sahakari Bank; welcomed Gadkari on his arrival at the airport. Arvind Gajbhiye, Sanjay Tekade, Guddu Trivedi, Jayprakash Gupta, Kishor Palandurkar, Dayashankar Tiwari, Shivani Dani, Virendra Kukreja, Manoj Pande, Archana Dehankar, Kishan Gawande, Sanjay Thakre, Manisha Kashikar, Vijay Kewalramani, Chandan Goswami and others were present on the occasion.