Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, representing Nagpur in the parliament, has expressed his concerns over the escalating pollution levels in Delhi. During a recent event, he candidly shared his reluctance to spend extended periods in the national capital due to its deteriorating air quality, which he believes is adversely affecting the life expectancy of its residents. Gadkari emphasized the urgent need for all stakeholders to address pollution caused by fossil fuel consumption. Speaking at the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ plantation drive near Faridabad-Noida International Airport Road, Gadkari revealed that he limits his stays in Delhi to just two or three days. He often finds himself preoccupied with planning his departure due to the city’s poor air quality. He urged everyone to take this issue seriously, highlighting that pollution has become a significant public health concern. Gadkari proposed promoting alternative fuels like ethanol and conducting extensive plantation drives as effective strategies to combat pollution. The government is actively pursuing these initiatives to enhance environmental sustainability. Additionally, he mentioned that waste materials are being repurposed in road construction projects, with approximately 80 lakh tonnes of waste already utilized. The minister also stressed the importance of water conservation, advocating for rainwater harvesting along highways. An official statement from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) outlined their commitment to creating green corridors through bamboo plantations, dense planting, and vertical landscaping. The goal is to saturate plantations along national highways by engaging various stakeholders to establish a sustainable and green highway network. In a recent achievement, NHAI surpassed its target by planting around 67 lakh trees during 2024-25, exceeding the initial goal of 60 lakh plantations. This initiative reflects a broader vision of integrating environmental considerations into infrastructure development.