Hydrogen-powered vehicles will soon be introduced in Odisha, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has said that the ministry has no shortage of funds, with Rs 15 lakh crore currently available. Speaking at the ‘Indian Roads Congress’ in Bhubaneswar on Friday, Gadkari stated that the main challenge lies in spending the allocated funds efficiently.

The Union Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for the rapid progress in road construction across India. Emphasising the need for positive thinking, transparency, and prompt decision-making, Gadkari said, “If we want to move the country forward, decisions must be taken quickly and executed efficiently.”

Gadkari also pointed out delays in DPR (Detailed Project Report) preparation, cautioning that the task should not be handed to the cheapest agencies, as quality and timeliness are crucial.

Highlighting road safety concerns, the Minister revealed that 1.8 lakh people die annually in road accidents in India. Death due to road accident is about 40 every day with most victims aged 18 to 36 years.

In a major announcement, Gadkari said that hydrogen-powered vehicles will soon be introduced on a pilot basis in several states, including Odisha. He added that farmers are now producing ethanol, and fuels are being made from bamboo and crop residues, which the Odisha government should actively promote.

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"The lowest quotation received gets the opportunity to prepare the DPR. Our authorities tell us that this is the only formula. I told them if they had to undergo a heart operation, why don't they float tender? You should go to a hospital that is cheaper. Why do you want a good hospital? Why do you want a good restaurant to have food? Then why do you choose the worst to prepare DPR? We have now removed the lowest condition. DPR is the backbone of our project, and it should be perfect. Our engineers should test the DPR at the lower level and find out what the problems are in it for the people. If it doesn't happen, ask the engineering colleges and IIT students and professors to check the DPRs. We don't check the DPR and float tenders. The work is done by the contractor, and his working capital is finished. He runs from pillar to post only to be rejected by somebody," said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari.

Joining the event, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi said the state government aims to build 1,000 kilometres of roads by 2029. He added that with special focus and support for Odisha, the state's development vision can be realised.