‘She Broke Down As She Spoke’: Gadkari recalls emotional 25-year water mission journey

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched a two-day water conservation campaign in Nagpur and linked Vidarbha’s agrarian distress directly to water scarcity and irrigation failures. Speaking during Nagpur Jalsamvad 2026 and Jalkranti Parishad events marking Purti Sinchan Sanstha’s silver jubilee year, Gadkari recalled an emotional interaction with a farmer suicide victim’s widow during Lal Krishna Advani’s Rath Yatra, saying the conversation shaped his 25-year water conservation mission. Gadkari also highlighted Vidarbha’s Tamsawada watershed revival model, which revived a 12-km stream, irrigated 10,000 hectares and made over 60 villages drought-free. He further cited the Buldhana model, where 35 ponds reportedly saved ₹30 crore. Actor Nana Patekar joined the campaign.