Mumbai, 13 Apr (FN Bureau) Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed on Thursday that the central government has given top priority to protect the living creatures and environment and the government is considering many options to curb pollution and accordingly working on various projects on war footing. He was speaking at an international conference held in Mumbai.Public transport system is very important for the country. About 40 percent of the total air pollution in the country is caused by road traffic and now it is necessary to promote the public transport system in the country, said Mr Gadkari on this occasion. He said that the government is implementing various measures to promote the public transport system.He mentioned that the double decker bus started in Mumbai and the bus service being started in Bangalore are examples of these measures. He said the approval given to 260 rope way, cable car was also a part of this effort. At this time, Gadkari expressed his belief that road projects worth around Rs 65,000 crores are also underway in Delhi area and after the completion of this work, it will help reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in that area. He said that in Mumbai too, various measures are being emphasized and the effort to extend the Worli-Bandra sea bridge up to Virar is also a part of it.
He expressed hope that the work of Mumbai Delhi highway will be completed to a large extent by the end of December.Apart from this, Gadkari said that the central government is also trying to build an electric highway i.e. e-highway. Mr Gadkari informed that electric buses, electric cars, electric scooters are now operational but along with that we are starting to use vehicles with flex engines. Mr Gadkari reiterated that hydrogen is the fuel of the future. Stating that there is no problem in running buses and trucks using methanol as fuel in Mumbai, Gadkari said it would save costs and also reduce pollution.On this occasion, Union Minister Gadkari expressed the belief that due to these efforts of the Central Government, we will be able to solve the problem of pollution to a large extent in the next five years, added Mr Gadkari.