Gadkari Pledges 2.5 Million Trees for ‘Green Nagpur’

• Nitin Gadkari announces plantation of 25 lakh trees across Nagpur
• Nagpur-Hyderabad Expressway to cut travel time to 3.5 hours
• Metro Phase-II progressing; DPR for Phase-III ready
• Major market redevelopment and infrastructure projects underway

GG News Bureau
Nagpur, 13th June: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday announced an ambitious plan to transform Nagpur into a green city through the plantation of 2.5 million trees, while highlighting major infrastructure, employment and development initiatives undertaken over the past 12 years of the Central Government.

Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, Gadkari said the large-scale plantation drive would be carried out under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. Saplings measuring two to three metres in height will be distributed to schools, universities, voluntary organisations, political parties and other stakeholders to ensure extensive plantation and conservation efforts.

Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and several public representatives were present at the event.

The Union Minister said the Revenue and Forest Departments, along with the Remote Sensing Centre in Nagpur, would undertake mapping of districts and talukas across Maharashtra. Districts carrying out extensive plantation activities will be identified and recognised for their contribution to environmental conservation.

Highlighting the Centre’s welfare initiatives, Gadkari said more than 58 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts have been opened over the past 12 years. He noted that Ayushman Bharat has benefited nearly 60 crore people, while over 11 crore LPG connections have been provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

He also said that around 11 crore farmers are receiving annual financial assistance through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

On employment generation, Gadkari stated that loans worth approximately ₹35 lakh crore have been disbursed to 57 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana. He added that the Startup India initiative has led to the emergence of 1.6 lakh startups and 118 unicorns, while nearly 5 crore youth have received skill training under the Skill India Mission.

Focusing on Nagpur’s development, Gadkari said several major urban redevelopment projects are underway, including the Cotton Market Redevelopment Project, Itwari Market, Dahi Market, Orange Market, Netaji Market, Kamal Chowk Commercial Complex, Budhwari Market, Mahal Redevelopment Project and the Sakkardara Budhwari Market Redevelopment Project.

Other key projects include the Agro Convention Centre at Dabha, Sokta Bhavan Redevelopment, Mor Bhavan Redevelopment and Ganeshpeth Bus Stand Redevelopment.

The Minister said work on Nagpur Metro Phase-II is progressing rapidly, while the Detailed Project Report for Metro Phase-III has already been prepared.

He also highlighted major institutional and infrastructure projects established in the city, including AIIMS Nagpur, IIM Nagpur, National Law University, IIIT Nagpur, the Employees’ State Insurance Hospital at Butibori, the Buddhist Circuit Project, Deekshabhoomi Redevelopment Project, Sports Authority of India Centre, Oxygen Park, Bird Park and the Mother Dairy Project.

Gadkari said the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched an ambitious programme to establish 1,600 Driving Training Centres across the country. So far, 24 centres have become operational and 112 are in the pipeline. Around 10 lakh people have already received training, and once all centres become functional, they will train approximately 1.15 crore individuals annually.

Referring to future connectivity projects, the Minister said the proposed Nagpur-Hyderabad Expressway will reduce travel time between the two cities to about three-and-a-half hours.

He also announced that the Indora-Dighori flyover project in Nagpur is in its final stage and is expected to be opened for traffic on August 1, 2026.