Maharashtra's six districts to be diesel-free, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that he has taken up an initiative of making six selected districts in Maharashtra diesel-free for a period of five years.

"I have taken up a program to make six districts - Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Wardha - diesel-free. I have decided that even a drop of diesel will t be re in se districts for five years. It's a difficult job... I have set up six factories where bio-CNG will be made for trucks and buses. Currently, 50 buses are running on that... Organic farming is future," Gadkari said at  CII National Council meeting.

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Gadkari, who is looking after  Ministry of Road Transport and Highways along with Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, said that alternative sources of funding should be harnessed.

"We must look forward to alternative sources for financing beyond banks," Gadkari said.

He furr shared that in past five years, around Rs 17 lakh crore was invested in transport sector.

Gadkari said that MSME sector has "great potential for growth and potential for progress of country. and sought support of private sector in this direction.

"We are bringing improvements as per suggestions of industry and request for more recommendations. central government is very positive and has faith and trust in industry. Government is investor-friendly and wants to support industries for employment, growth, and exports," he said.

On sidelines of event, Gadkari told media that Centre is t planning to shut down any industry, but changes must be made in view of national interest.

When asked about issue of electric mobility, he said, "We do t want to end any industry and want to help out. We want to include private sector in all our schemes so that growth rate and employment potential in development increases.

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