Gadkari gets candid on why Delhi chokes, retirement plans and favourite toll meme

In an interview with India Today's Preeti Choudhry on the debut episode of UnPolitics, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari opened up about his personal journey, political icons, innovative projects and the unfiltered reality of running one of the country's most ambitious ministries.

"I am a grassroots activist," Gadkari said, introducing himself. "For me, politics is a tool for socio-economic reform. I do 90% social work and 10% politics."

He added that he works extensively in fields like education, agriculture, handicrafts, and organic farming.

"I never thought I'd receive 13 honorary doctorates. I couldn't even qualify for engineering admission," he said, recalling how he secured 52% marks in Class 12 and was disqualified from pursuing engineering due to poor scores.

Despite the formal accolades, he downplayed titles. "Don’t call me Dr Gadkari," he chuckled. "If I've achieved anything, it is because of my mother."

Asked about his political role models, Gadkari named George Fernandes as his icon. "I was close to him. He shaped my political thinking," he said, adding that he drew inspiration from leaders across parties, including AB Bardhan of the Communist Party and many stalwarts from the Congress and Socialist movements.

"Goodness is not the patent of any one party," he said.

On being widely liked even by political opponents, Gadkari said, "Whoever comes to me - ally or opponent - if their work is legitimate, I try to help. Vajpayee ji taught us that while ministers belong to parties, they also belong to the country."

Gadkari didn’t shy away from criticism either. On being trolled over toll fees, he said with a smile, "Yes, I've seen all the memes. My favourite one is from Gadar - 'Nikla Gadi Leke, Toll Aaya Samne'." He admitted public anger was real but defended toll policies as necessary for infrastructural development.

He also confirmed a quirky yet eco-conscious habit, "Yes, I once gave 72 litres of my own urine to my gardener. It's about turning waste into wealth," he explained, elaborating on various organic farming techniques and innovations in sustainability.

Gadkari took pride in his green energy mission. "40% of Delhi’s pollution is from the transport sector. That’s why I’ve introduced electric vehicles, ethanol, bio-CNG, LNG, hydrogen, and flex-fuel engines,” he said.

He spoke of ongoing work worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in the Delhi-NCR region and ambitious goals to decongest the capital.

When asked whether his 100 km-per-day highway target was realistic, Gadkari responded, “It’s difficult, but in my dictionary, ‘impossible’ means ‘I am possible’.”

He noted that current highway construction averages 36–38 km/day and aims to ramp up significantly through better planning and execution.

On criticism about faulty highways and rushed projects, Gadkari clarified, “There are 72 lakh km of roads in India. I’m responsible for just 1.5 lakh km of national highways. If the issue is on my road, I won’t spare the contractor or the officer. If the mistake is bona fide, I forgive. If it’s fraudulent, I punish.”

The minister also touched upon his relationships with Maharashtra’s political families. “I’ve had close ties with Balasaheb Thackeray, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. But politics and personal relationships are different,” he said, recounting humorous memories like Balasaheb once calling him “Nitin Chaddi-Chhaap” for refusing to drink wine.

Asked about his views on leadership in the BJP and the possibility of a woman president, Gadkari dodged a direct answer. “Party leaders will decide. I don’t aspire to become anything,” he said, reiterating his commitment to development over power.

He brushed off talk about being the party’s ‘vikas purush’ (man of development). “The real vikas purush today is Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, we’ve done what Congress couldn’t in 60 years,” he said. “I am just doing my work. Whether I’m good or bad, the people will decide.”

As the interview drew to a close, Gadkari opened up about family life. “I speak to my grandchildren every morning. We take holidays together. Recently, we visited Spain. I live a simple life and enjoy the time I get with family,” he shared.

Asked about retirement, the 67-year-old laughed, “The problem is, I’m trying to do in a few years what I should have done in 25. There’s no retirement date for me. As long as I’m fit, I’ll keep working. I don’t make long-term plans - I’m unorganised and undisciplined.”

Refusing to fall into the trap of headline-friendly controversy, Gadkari said, “Why should I give you a news line? That’s your job.”

- Ends