A Rare Cross‑Party Favourite
Few ministers enjoy praise that cuts across party lines, industry lobbies, farmer unions, truckers’ associations, and environmental campaigners. Road‑Transport & The result: a reputation as “everyone’s hero” within the Modi cabinet and beyond.
An Infrastructure Report Card That Speaks for Itself
National Highways Built at Record Speed
- The Bharatmala programme has already delivered over 20,000 km of green‑field corridors, slashing travel time and logistics costs.
- Twenty‑five new access‑controlled expressways are on the drawing board, set to cut freight expenses by up to 30 percent.
Ports, Rivers, and the Sagarmala Push
- Under the Sagarmala programme, hundreds of port‑modernisation, road‑link, and coastal‑community projects have added capacity and jobs.
Technology Motorists Actually Notice
- The nationwide FASTag system shifted India from cash booths to RFID lanes almost overnight and now clears hundreds of millions of toll transactions each month.
- An annual FASTag pass for private cars is being rolled out to make compliance even simpler for everyday drivers.
A Green Vision in a Petrol Economy
- Gadkari champions E‑27 fuel, targeting 27 percent ethanol blending by 2028—projected to save billions in crude imports.
- He is an evangelist for bio‑CNG, green hydrogen, and flex‑fuel engines, framing the transition as a once‑in‑a‑century opportunity for rural wealth creation.
Bipartisan Credibility
- Leaders from rival parties have publicly praised his ability to execute complex projects without partisan bias.
- Even seasoned regional stalwarts have honoured him with awards for nationally admired performance.
Execution Model: Speed, Transparency, and Accountability
| Key Metric | 2014 | 2024 | What Changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four‑lane NH length | 18,000 km | ~46,000 km | Aggressive EPC and PPP mix |
| Expressway length | <100 km | >2,400 km | Land pooling, single‑window clearances |
| Average highway built per day | 12 km | 29 km | Simultaneous land acquisition, three‑shift work culture |
Why He Cuts Across Political Lines
- Equitable Fund Flow – Highway packages are allocated without regional bias.
- Hands‑On Problem Solving – He phones state chief secretaries directly to break bottlenecks.
- Plain‑Spoken Optimism – Speeches are peppered with costs, timelines, and ROI numbers that anyone can verify.
- Pragmatism Over Partisanship – He consults experts across the spectrum, including former detractors, to refine policy.
Awards and Global Recognition
- Nicknamed the “Expressway Man of India” for pioneering marquee corridors like the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and the Delhi–Mumbai green‑field highway.
- Recognised by global forums for championing innovative public‑private partnerships in transport.
- Regularly invited to speak at international climate conferences on sustainable mobility.
Critiques—And How He Addresses Them
- Project Delays – The ministry publishes state‑wise dashboards and blacklists non‑performing contractors.
- Quality Concerns – Five‑year performance‑based maintenance contracts ensure highways remain serviceable long after inauguration.
- Pace Fluctuations – Temporary dips in construction speed are acknowledged transparently, with real‑time portals tracking land‑litigation cases and weather disruptions.
FOR MORE BLOGS – beyondthepunchlines.com
Author: Team BTP
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