Rising Bharat Summit 2024: Nitin Gadkari highlights ₹50 lakh crore infrastructure work, lauds e-rickshaws

Gadkari also spoke about the country’s move towards green fuel, arriving at the event in Toyota’s first-ever flex-fuel car, the Innova Hycross. He said enabling India’s transition to electric rickshaws is his biggest achievement as a minister.

Gadkari said that electric rickshaws have put an end to the "inhuman" practice of one man carrying another man as the bulk of cycle rickshaw pullers switch to driving electric vehicles.

"One crore people carried other people through rickshaw. After the e-rickshaw came, 90% of those one crore people are riding the e-rickshaw and earning about Rs 1,000 per day, and it has put an end to the inhuman practice of a man carrying another man," added Gadkari.

In the last few years, e-rickshaws have become popular in urban and semi-urban areas as they are a zero-emission, low-cost transport service offering first and last-mile connectivity and mobility options to passengers. These vehicles are tested for safety standards and are allowed to ply on the road only when they adhere to these standards, said the minister.

On the political front, Gadkari reaffirmed his steadfast confidence in PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, saying, “PM Modi champions Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. He will lead us to victory again, and we are poised to surpass 400 seats.”

Amid discussions on Maharashtra's political landscape, Gadkari assured that seat-sharing negotiations are in their concluding phase. He said, “Seat distribution in Maharashtra is nearing completion. CM Shinde has engaged with Maratha Agitators, and that issue is resolved.”

Regarding potential alliances, Gadkari kept the door open for collaboration with Raj Thackeray, indicating, “The party will deliberate on an alliance with Raj Thackeray; our parliamentary board will make the final decision.”