‘When I arrive in Delhi, I start thinking when I will leave’: Gadkari on air pollution woes

Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari. (File photo)

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday that pollution levels in Delhi are reducing the life expectancy of the people of the Capital.

While taking part in a plantation drive, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’, at Faridabad-Noida International Airport Road in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Gadkari said, "I stay in Delhi for two or three days only, and when I arrive, I start thinking about when I will leave. I book my return tickets first. You should take this issue seriously. The pollution in Delhi has led to a decrease in the life expectancy of common people."

Highlighting the alarming levels of pollution in Delhi, Gadkari said: “The oxygen level here is very high today, and once the airport (Noida International Airport) is built and more vehicles enter this area, the environment could further deteriorate.”

Gadkari said it is foremost responsibility of all stakeholders to reduce pollution due to fossil fuels consumed by vehicles on the roads, PTI reported.

The road transport and highways minister added that promoting the use of alternative fuels like ethanol and undertaking large-scale plantation drives are the most effective solutions to reduce the pollution, and the government is actively pursuing both.

“Safeguarding (the environment) is our responsibility. We are making aviation fuel and I have taken a vow that when the first flight takes off from here, I will be supplying aviation fuel,” he added.

For environment sustainability, the minister said the government is also effectively utilising waste in road construction and has used around 80 lakh tonnes of waste in road construction.

“We are also prioritising water conservation by adopting measures like rainwater harvesting on our highways,” he added, PTI reported.

An official statement said NHAI has been focusing on creating green corridors by undertaking bamboo plantation, dense plantation and vertical landscaping. NHAI planted around 67 lakh trees as against the target of 60 lakh plantations during 2024-25, the statement read.

(With inputs from PTI)