Nitin Gadkari’s War on Pollution: Can His Tree-Planting Drive Save Delhi?
Delhi, India’s bustling capital, has long been synonymous with choking smog, hazardous air quality, and a public health crisis that claims countless lives annually. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently soaring into the “severe” category, particularly during winter months, the city’s pollution problem has become a national concern. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has emerged as a vocal advocate for combating this crisis, spearheading initiatives like the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ tree-planting campaign. But can his ambitious green vision—combining large-scale afforestation, alternative fuels, and innovative waste management—truly save Delhi from its toxic air? This article delves into Gadkari’s multifaceted approach, its potential impact, and the challenges that lie ahead.
A Personal Stake in a Public Crisis
Nitin Gadkari’s candid admissions about Delhi’s air quality paint a stark picture. “I stay in Delhi for two or three days only, and when I arrive, I start thinking about when I will leave. I book my return tickets first,” he remarked during a tree-planting event in Greater Noida on July 8, 2025. His words reflect a visceral reaction to the city’s polluted air, which he claims reduces life expectancy by up to 10 years, a figure backed by medical research. Gadkari’s personal discomfort underscores a broader truth: Delhi’s air pollution, driven by vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and agricultural stubble burning, is a public health emergency that demands urgent action.
As the Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Gadkari is uniquely positioned to address one of the largest contributors to Delhi’s pollution: the transport sector, responsible for nearly 40% of the city’s air pollutants. His approach is not limited to rhetoric; it combines practical policy measures with a cultural call to action, most notably through the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, which merges environmental responsibility with emotional resonance.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ Campaign: A Green Tribute
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative encourages Indians to plant trees in honor of their mothers, linking personal sentiment with ecological duty. Gadkari has championed its second phase, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0,’ with a focus on creating green corridors along national highways. On July 8, 2025, he planted a tree along the Faridabad-Noida International Airport Road, joined by other ministers and local leaders, to symbolize this commitment. The campaign’s emotional appeal—honoring mothers while nurturing Mother Earth—has resonated widely, with school students and community members participating in planting drives across the country.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under Gadkari’s ministry, has set ambitious targets. In 2024-25, NHAI planted 67 lakh trees against a goal of 60 lakh, with over 12 lakh planted under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ banner. Along the 31-kilometer Faridabad-Noida corridor alone, 17,000 trees were planted to enhance air quality, reduce soil erosion, and boost biodiversity. Gadkari has also introduced innovative measures like e-tagging saplings with Artificial Intelligence to monitor their growth, ensuring long-term survival. Since 2015, NHAI’s Green Highways Policy has facilitated the planting of 4.78 crore trees and the transplantation of 70,000 others, minimizing environmental disruption during infrastructure projects.
Beyond Trees: A Holistic Approach
Gadkari’s strategy extends beyond afforestation. Recognizing the transport sector’s role in pollution, he has pushed for alternative fuels like ethanol, methanol, and green hydrogen to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which India imports at a cost of Rs 22 lakh crore annually. At the Times Drive Green Conclave in November 2024, he highlighted 400 bio-CNG projects that convert agricultural waste, such as rice straw, into fuel, addressing the stubble-burning problem in Punjab and Haryana that exacerbates Delhi’s winter smog.
Additionally, Gadkari has integrated waste management into his environmental agenda. Approximately 80 lakh tonnes of waste from Delhi’s landfills, including the Ghazipur landfill, have been repurposed for highway construction, reducing landfill height by 7 meters. Measures like rainwater harvesting along highways further demonstrate his commitment to sustainability. These initiatives aim to create a circular economy where waste is minimized, and infrastructure development aligns with environmental goals.
The Science Behind Tree Planting
Tree planting is a scientifically validated tool for combating air pollution. According to a 2018 study in Environmental Pollution, strategic urban tree planting can significantly reduce particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and harmful gases like carbon dioxide. In Delhi, where AQI levels often exceed 450 in winter, trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing up to 20 kg of CO2 per year per mature tree, per global estimates. A Delhi University study identified species like peepal, saptaparni, and jamun as particularly effective due to their leaf structure and ability to trap pollutants. These trees also support biodiversity, hosting bird species that indicate healthy ecosystems.
The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign aligns with these findings, prioritizing native species like neem, amaltas, and pipal, which are well-suited to Delhi’s climate. The high survival rate of saplings—over 90% in some areas like Tilpath Valley—suggests that these efforts, if scaled and maintained, could have a measurable impact on air quality.
Challenges and Criticisms
Despite its promise, Gadkari’s tree-planting drive faces significant hurdles. Delhi’s pollution is a complex issue, with vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and seasonal stubble burning all contributing to the crisis. While trees can mitigate particulate matter, they alone cannot address the root causes, such as the 50% of pollution attributed to vehicles or the 700 tonnes of plastic waste generated daily in Delhi, much of which is burned openly, releasing toxic chemicals.
Critics argue that Gadkari’s focus on alternative fuels, while forward-thinking, requires stronger enforcement and infrastructure. The transition to ethanol and green hydrogen is still nascent, with limited refueling stations and high costs. Moreover, the effectiveness of tree-planting campaigns depends on long-term maintenance. Past initiatives, like the 2015 Hero TOI Green Drive, achieved high survival rates, but many urban plantations suffer from neglect, vandalism, or unsuitable species selection.
Urban planning challenges also loom large. Delhi’s rapid urbanization and the upcoming Noida International Airport are expected to increase vehicle traffic, potentially offsetting the gains from tree planting. Gadkari himself noted that oxygen levels along the Faridabad-Noida corridor could deteriorate as traffic grows, underscoring the need for complementary measures like stricter emission norms and public transport expansion.
The Road Ahead
Gadkari’s war on pollution is a commendable step, but it is not a silver bullet. The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign has mobilized communities and set a precedent for integrating environmental consciousness into infrastructure development. Its emotional and cultural framing makes it accessible, encouraging widespread participation. However, for Delhi to breathe easier, a multi-pronged approach is essential. This includes scaling up public transport, enforcing anti-dust measures, curbing stubble burning through farmer incentives, and improving waste management to reduce open burning of plastics.
Gadkari’s initiatives are a beacon of hope, but their success hinges on collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and citizens. Delhi’s AQI, which hovers between 250-350 even in non-winter months, demands sustained action. If Gadkari’s vision of green highways, alternative fuels, and widespread afforestation is paired with robust policy enforcement, it could pave the way for a cleaner, healthier Delhi. For now, his tree-planting drive is a vital step, but the war on pollution requires an army of efforts to win.
Conclusion
Nitin Gadkari’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0’ campaign is more than a symbolic gesture; it’s a bold attempt to address Delhi’s dire air quality through afforestation, innovation, and cultural engagement. By planting millions of trees, promoting alternative fuels, and repurposing waste, Gadkari is tackling the transport sector’s outsized role in pollution. Yet, the scale of Delhi’s crisis—evidenced by its ranking as the world’s most polluted capital in 2024—demands broader systemic changes. Can Gadkari’s tree-planting drive save Delhi? It’s a critical piece of the puzzle, but only time, sustained effort, and collective action will tell if it can turn the tide against the city’s toxic air.
Last Updated on: Monday, July 14, 2025 9:34 am by Charan Sai Reddy | Published by: Charan Sai Reddy on Monday, July 14, 2025 9:33 am | News Categories: Politics
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