Nitin Gadkari, born on May 27, 1957, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is a prominent Indian politician affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He has been serving as the Minister of Road Transport & Highways since 2014, making him the longest-serving minister in this role.
Gadkari is often referred to as the “Highway Man of India” due to his significant contributions to the country’s infrastructure development. Here are ten interesting points about him:
1. Early Life and Education: Gadkari holds degrees in commerce and law from Nagpur University.
2. Political Career: He began his political journey with the BJP and has held various positions, including President of the Maharashtra BJP and later, National President of the party.
3. Mumbai-Pune Expressway: As Maharashtra’s Public Works Department Minister from 1995 to 1999, he spearheaded the construction of India’s first six-lane concrete, high-speed expressway, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
4. National Highway Expansion: Under his leadership, over 90,000 km of national highways and 30,000 km of new roads have been constructed in the last decade.
5. Bharatmala Pariyojana: Gadkari launched this ambitious project to improve road connectivity across the country, enhancing trade and economic growth.
6. Sagarmala Programme: He initiated this program to modernize India’s ports and integrate them with special economic zones, aiming to boost maritime trade.
7. Promotion of Green Fuels: Gadkari advocates for alternative fuels and has been instrumental in promoting the use of ethanol, methanol, and biofuels in the transportation sector.
8. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Recognized by the World Economic Forum as a pioneer in PPP models, he has effectively leveraged private investments for public infrastructure projects.
9. Road Safety Initiatives: Gadkari has introduced measures to improve road safety, including the implementation of the Bharat NCAP for vehicle safety standards.
10. Nagpur Metro: He played a key role in the development of the Nagpur Metro project, enhancing urban mobility in his hometown.
Gadkari’s visionary approach and dedication have been pivotal in transforming India’s infrastructure landscape, earning him the moniker “Highway Man of India.”
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