Fortune India MPW 2025: Nitin Gadkari lays out bold vision for a cleaner, connected, women-led India

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, set the tone for a riveting fireside chat on ‘Building the New India’ at Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women (MPW) 2025 event in Mumbai on Friday.

In conversation with Sourav Majumdar, Editor-in-Chief, Fortune India, and Ashutosh Kumar, Deputy Editor, Gadkari laid out his sweeping vision for a more sustainable and inclusive India—powered by electrification, green fuels, smart infrastructure, and women-led entrepreneurship.

From flash-charging electric buses replacing short-haul flights to empowering tribal women through sari and carpet ventures, the minister touched on a wide range of themes.

Addressing India’s green mobility transition, Gadkari pointed to the country’s EV affordability breakthrough. “The cost of lithium-ion battery was $150 per kilowatt hour earlier but today it comes to $55,” he said, adding, “After six months, the electric vehicle price will be less than petrol and diesel vehicles.”

Stressing the urgency of reducing India’s oil import burden, he said: “India imports fossil fuel worth ₹22 lakh crore and it's time that the country needs to find out alternative fuel and biofuel.”

Gadkari also outlined a future where short-haul domestic flights give way to EV buses, thanks to innovations in flash-charging technology. "Every 40 kilometres, the charging [infrastructure] will be there," he said as he went on to declare that by December, there will be hardly the need for flights on the Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Jaipur, and Delhi-Chandigarh routes, like the Mumbai-Pune route.

Reflecting on his governance philosophy, Gadkari said: "I like people who can get things done. I don’t want reasoning, you have to resolve the issues..."

He also spoke passionately about the socio-economic transformation in Naxal-affected regions, highlighting successful rehabilitation efforts. "In Gadchiroli district, in my area, once the capital of Naxalism, we now have ₹7.5 lakh crore in investments. The iron ore here is 65 grade, among the best in the world. Over 5,000 youth who were once part of the Naxalite movement now have jobs. The socio-economic problem is resolved, and law and order is stable. This is the power of development."

On the role of women in the country’s economic journey, the minister emphasised the potential of grassroots mobilisation. "If India can organise women, 100% economic viability is there. We can create more jobs."

On celebrating and encouraging women achievers and appreciating the role played by Fortune India in bringing out coveted lists like MPW 2025, the Union Minister said: "The way in which women are leading in all fields, be it defense, social work, or the corporate sector, shows they are very competent, they deserve it. And one thing which I appreciate is how you (Fortune India) encourage all these good ladies who are doing excellent jobs, to encourage them, to respect them. That is exactly important. It is a great inspiration and motivation for all women that they can also do it.”

Summing up his views on his biggest achievement as a Union Minister, Gadkari said it is to create a successful, transparent financial model for infrastructure. "Earlier, there was no money. Today, I don’t have a resource problem. I have an expenditure problem. We raised ₹1,100 crore from the market when no one believed in us. Now, with an annual income of ₹56,000 crore, set to rise to ₹1.4 lakh crore, we’re building roads through true public participation."