'Two days in Delhi, I get an infection': Nitin Gadkari admits 40% of air pollution is because of his transport sector

As Delhi’s air pollution risk keeps increasing, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently acknowledged that the transport sector accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the capital’s emissions.

Nitin Gadkari admits 40% air pollution caused by transport sector

While speaking at the book launch of My Idea of Nation First-Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism by journalist Uday Mahurkar on Tuesday, he expressed deep concern over the city’s toxic air, admitting that he falls ill after staying in Delhi for just two days due to pollution.

 “Today, the biggest form of nationalism, Uday ji, is to reduce the country’s imports and increase exports. What situation have we created for ourselves? I can barely stay for two days; I get sick. I got an infection. Why is there pollution everywhere in Delhi? I am the transport minister, and 40 per cent of it is because of us, because of fossil fuels like petrol and diesel,” Gadkari said.

VIDEO | Delhi: “I stay in Delhi for 2 days and get an infection, it is so polluted,” says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari during a book launch programme of ‘My Idea of Nation First - Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism'.

(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/Ybo4k3vCsN

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 24, 2025

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Transport Minister urges using green fuels

The Minister further discussed India’s continued reliance on fossil fuels. He criticised the logic of spending ₹22 trillion annually on fuel imports, arguing that such dependence hampers both environmental and economic security.

 “If there is any true nationalism today, it lies in reducing imports and increasing exports,” he said. “We are spending ₹22 trillion on importing fossil fuels. What kind of nationalism is this? By spending so much money, we are polluting our own country.”

 Nitin Gadkari urged faster adoption of alternatives and biofuels to achieve self-reliance and reduce critical pollution levels.

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