Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said that efforts are underway to develop Nagpur as a greener urban centre through the plantation of 2.5 million trees across the city and surrounding district. The announcement was made during a press conference in Nagpur on June 13, 2026, marking 12 years of the Central Government’s tenure.

The plantation initiative is planned under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. According to the proposal, saplings of 2 to 3 metres height will be distributed to educational institutions, voluntary organisations, and other groups for plantation and maintenance activities. The initiative involves coordination with multiple stakeholders across the region.

Officials also indicated that mapping of districts and talukas in Maharashtra will be undertaken using support from the Revenue and Forest Departments and the Remote Sensing Centre in Nagpur. The data will be used to document plantation activities across districts.

Welfare Scheme Data And Employment Initiatives

During the address, the minister presented data on several central government welfare schemes implemented over the last 12 years. These included the opening of more than 58 crore bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, coverage of around 60 crore beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat, and provision of about 11 crore LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

He also stated that 11 crore farmers are receiving annual income support under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

On employment-linked programmes, the minister said that loans worth approximately ₹35 lakh crore have been disbursed under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana to small entrepreneurs and street vendors. He added that the Startup India programme has facilitated the emergence of around 1.6 lakh startups and 118 unicorns. Under the Skill India Mission, about 5 crore youth have reportedly received training.

Infrastructure Projects And Urban Development In Nagpur

Nitin Gadkari outlined multiple infrastructure and urban redevelopment projects in Nagpur, including redevelopment of major markets such as Cotton Market, Itwari Market, Dahi Market, Orange Market, Netaji Market, Kamal Chowk Commercial Complex, Budhwari Market, and Mahal area redevelopment.

Other projects include the Agro Convention Centre at Dabha, Sokta Bhavan redevelopment, Mor Bhavan redevelopment, and Ganeshpeth Bus Stand redevelopment. Work on Phase II of the Nagpur Metro is ongoing, while the Detailed Project Report for Phase III has been prepared.

The minister also referred to several institutional and infrastructure developments, including AIIMS Nagpur, IIM Nagpur, National Law University, IIIT Nagpur, and other facilities such as the Oxygen Park, Bird Park, and Deekshabhoomi redevelopment project.

Transport Projects And Future Connectivity Plans

According to the minister, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expanding driving training infrastructure across the country. A total of 1,600 driving training centres have been proposed, of which 24 are operational and 112 are under development. Around 10 lakh people have received training so far.

Once fully operational, the centres are expected to train approximately 1.15 crore individuals annually.

Nitin Gadkari also stated that the proposed Nagpur–Hyderabad Expressway is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to about three and a half hours. He further said that the Indora–Dighori flyover in Nagpur is in its final stage and is scheduled to open on August 1, 2026.