The Union government is set to execute major infrastructure projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the next two years to transform Delhi’s urban landscape, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, revealed on Thursday. In an interview with ANI, Gadkari emphasized that these efforts would significantly change the face of the capital city, with a focus on improving infrastructure and reducing pollution.
Gadkari further mentioned that the government, under the Namami Gange scheme, is working on projects to clean the Yamuna River, preventing sewage water from contaminating it. However, he pointed out that delays in the execution of some of these projects are due to the Delhi government’s failure to contribute its share of the funding.
Out of the total planned investment, the Ministry of Road and Transport has already completed works worth Rs 33,000 crore of a Rs 65,000 crore project, with the remaining Rs 32,000 crore projects slated for completion in the coming years.
Addressing the persistent issues of air pollution and traffic congestion in Delhi, Gadkari explained that the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, has launched numerous initiatives to address these challenges. The efforts include the introduction of electric buses, cars, and scooters, as well as the promotion of CNG vehicles, with the goal of eliminating 40 percent of Delhi’s pollution caused by fossil fuel emissions. The Minister pledged to make significant progress in eliminating pollution in the city within the next five years.
In addition, Gadkari highlighted that the government’s focus on reducing stubble burning has yielded positive results, with a 20 percent decline in stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana. He stated that CNG is now being produced from the stubble, with 60 out of 400 plants already operational. These plants are part of an ambitious effort to convert waste into valuable resources, ensuring that trucks and buses can run on CNG, further reducing pollution levels.
One of the key projects discussed by Gadkari includes a new initiative in Panipat. This project aims to produce 1 lakh liters of ethanol, 150 tonnes of bio-vitamin, and 78,000 tonnes of aviation fuel from stubble, which will help reduce pollution in Delhi and cut down on imports. In addition to the environmental benefits, this project is expected to create new jobs and improve the welfare of farmers.
