Nitin Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari

Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India
Birth DetailsMay 27, 1957 | Nagpur
NationalityIndian
LeaguePolitician
EducationB.Com., LL.B. Educated at G.S. Commerce College, Nagpur University and University College of Law, Main Branch, Nagpur
Nitin Gadkari's Journey so far ...
  • Nitin Jairam Gadkari is a B.Com graduate from Nagpur University, he then went on to do LL.B from the city's University College of Law. His family is involved in agriculture
  • In 1979, he became Secretary, Vidarbha region of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s student wing, and successfully organised its 28th National Convention
  • In 1981, he was appointed as President-Nagpur City of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP's youth wing. In 1985, he became Secretary-Nagpur City of the BJP
  • In 1990, Gadkari became a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) after successfully contesting elections from the Nagpur division’s Graduates Constituency. He was re-elected as MLC in 1996
  • He was made the PWD Minister in the NDA government in Maharashtra in 1995. He earned a reputation as a capable state minister thanks to several infrastructure projects.
  • He wasted no time and in a day, transferred all PWD assets in Mumbai to MSRDC. Thus came into existence a body that went on to build some 55 flyovers in Mumbai and the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, all completed in the promised time frame, earning him sobriquets like “bridge bhushan” and “flyover man”.
  • Gadkari was the key person behind the concept of public-private partnership (PPP) in infrastructure development in India. The BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model is based on this concept which is now widely implemented in India
  • Acknowledging his skills, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had made him in-charge of the NDA’s committee on infrastructure. He also headed the former PM’s dream Golden Quadrilateral project and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
  • At 52, he became the youngest BJP president, in December 2009. He travelled across India highlighting the UPA government's failures in controlling inflation and corruption
  • In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Gadkari won the Nagpur constituency by an impressive margin of 2.85 lakh votes. He was given the high profile Union ministry of road transport, highways, shipping and water resources with the task of modernising India's infrastructure
  • One of the most lauded ministers in the first Modi cabinet, he acquired a reputation for efficiency and execution. Gadkari is credited with lifting highways construction to over 30 km a day from 12 km when he took charge in 2014. Under his watch, projects such as Sagarmala and port-led development were kicked off
  • Thanks to a stellar performance, the feisty leader cemented his electoral muscle in Nagpur with a second Lok Sabha win in 2019. He has been the longest-serving minister for road transport & highways. He played a key role in launching the new Motor Vehicles Act
  • Gadkari has also been BJP’s troubleshooter in Goa, sorting out the political chaos that ensued after the death of Manohar Parrikar


Before you go ...
  • He co-authored a book, India Aspires: Redefining Politics of Development, with BJP spokesman Tuhin Sinha
  • Allegations over dubious deals regarding his Purti group surfaced to haunt him in 2012
  • Gadkari is a die-hard foodie and is an authority on vegetarian and Maharashtrian food. He also loves to take his friends on culinary trips

Last Updated: 27/09/2021

Nitin Gadkari News

  • Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss progress on the Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Dimapur highways. The Chief Minister also signed an MoU for Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, focusing on sustainable rural drinking water. The state government is committed to implementing the mission effectively, aiming for assured service delivery and community ownership.
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inspected the Zojila Tunnel. He triggered the final breakthrough of this strategic project. The tunnel connects Jammu and Kashmir with Ladakh. It is a significant infrastructure achievement. The project is expected to be completed in two years. This tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity.
  • A new two-lane tunnel will be built parallel to the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel. This project, announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, will ease traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The existing tunnel, India's longest road tunnel, connects Udhampur with Ramban. The new tunnel aims to increase capacity and improve safety on this vital route.
  • To encourage immediate public intervention, the Ministry is introducing the "Rahveer" initiative. "If people step in to rush these 50,000 individuals to the hospital, their lives can be saved; we call such lifesavers 'Rahveers', and we will award the rescuer Rs 25,000," Gadkari explained.
  • India is launching a pilot project for hydrogen-powered buses and trucks on ten roads. Major companies like Reliance and Tata are partnering in this initiative. The country aims to become an energy exporter, moving beyond imports. This marks a significant step in India's energy transition, with flex-fuel vehicles also set for expansion.
  • India's auto sector is set for a revolution with Maruti Suzuki launching the country's first mass-market flex-fuel passenger vehicle. This move supports green mobility and reduces oil imports. The vehicle can run on petrol and ethanol blends up to 100 percent. This initiative boosts the rural economy and promotes cleaner transport. The government is also expanding E100 fuel infrastructure nationwide.
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved over Rs 1,400 crore for a new 4-lane Thiruvarur bypass in Tamil Nadu. This 14.9 km project will improve connectivity between industrial hubs and port towns. It will also include two Road Over Bridges.
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has urged Indian companies to form joint ventures with US firms to access advanced technologies and boost innovation. He said the Road Transport Ministry is exploring US consultancy support for road project reports, while highlighting the sharp decline in India’s logistics costs. Emphasizing clean energy adoption and sustainable mobility, Gadkari expressed confidence that India can emerge as the world’s leading automobile industry within the next five years.
  • Delhi-NCR is set to receive a major transport upgrade. Over ₹34,000 crore will be invested in new highway projects. These include expressways, ring roads, tunnels, and elevated corridors. The government aims to create a modern and future-ready transport network. This initiative will boost connectivity, reduce fuel use, and promote economic growth in the region.
  • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is slashing his convoy by half during his Maharashtra visit, embracing Prime Minister Modi's call for fuel conservation and austerity. He'll travel by bus with officials and media to inspect pilgrimage routes, aiming to boost energy security and public convenience. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce fuel dependence.

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