Nitin Gadkari makes BIG claim, says India will soon have flying buses

New Delhi: Making a major announcement, Nitin Gadkari stated that he has introduced various new technologies such as ropeways and cable cars, and is now set to introduce a bus that flies in the air. He had previously introduced an amphibious aircraft capable of landing on water, which successfully landed in the sea.

What did Nitin Gadkari announce?

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that he would soon introduce a flying bus. Speaking at the inauguration of the Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, Gadkari mentioned that he has brought in several new technologies, including an amphibious aircraft. He added that, in the future, he plans to introduce a flying bus, noting that such innovations would reduce travel time between locations.

Nitin Gadkari said, "I have introduced many new technologies like ropeways and cable cars. Now, I am going to bring a flying bus. I had introduced an amphibious aircraft that landed in the sea. I will develop a rapid transport system that will make travel between distant points so seamless that one won't even realize the journey has passed. I will strive to launch this as well."

Gadkari stated that road projects worth ₹5 lakh crore would be completed in Uttar Pradesh over the next two years. He also announced new road projects for the state worth ₹50,000–60,000 crore. Gadkari made these remarks while addressing the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony for three national highway projects costing over ₹4,850 crore. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present at the event.

The Union Minister said, "I assure Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that the new projects worth ₹50,000–60,000 crore, discussed during the meeting with officials, have been approved. Furthermore, road projects worth ₹5 lakh crore will be completed in Uttar Pradesh within the next two years." He emphasized that infrastructure is the cornerstone of economic development, with power and transport serving as key pillars for attracting investment and boosting trade and industry. 'Where there is good infrastructure...'
Gadkari said, "Trade, business, and industry flourish where there is good infrastructure. Capital investment rises, employment opportunities are created, and poverty, hunger, and unemployment decline." He noted that prior to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government taking office at the Centre in 2014, development in Uttar Pradesh was not progressing at the desired pace, but it has accelerated since then. Citing a quote by former US President John F. Kennedy that used to be displayed in his office during his tenure as a minister in the Maharashtra government, Gadkari said, "American roads are not good because America is rich; rather, America is rich because its roads are good."

Why did Nitin Gadkari call Uttar Pradesh the 'heart of India'?

Describing Uttar Pradesh as the 'heart of India,' Gadkari stated that the country's development is deeply linked to the state's progress. He said, "If Uttar Pradesh prospers—with rising per capita income, increased exports, and robust road infrastructure—India's growth rate will also accelerate." The Union Minister mentioned that although metro projects do not fall under his ministry's jurisdiction, the government is working on other electric-based public transport options, including ropeway systems and elevated electric buses. Announcing the widening of the Lucknow-Sitapur highway to six lanes at a cost of approximately ₹1,200 crore, he stated that this would reduce the travel time between the two cities from two hours to about 50 minutes.