India News : Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday sought an appointment from Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, creating a notable moment in the House. Gandhi said she had been requesting time to meet the minister since June but had not yet received an appointment.
Raising a supplementary question related to the Chandigarh–Shimla National Highway, Priyanka Gandhi referred to the pending request and said she wished to discuss issues concerning her parliamentary constituency. Addressing Gadkari directly, she remarked that despite repeated efforts over several months, she had not been able to secure a meeting.
Responding immediately, Nitin Gadkari assured her that no formal appointment was necessary. “You can come and meet me anytime after Question Hour. My doors are always open,” the minister said, drawing attention from members across party lines.
The exchange took place amid a broader discussion on highway infrastructure and development projects. Gadkari reiterated the government’s focus on improving road connectivity and increasing the pace of national highway construction across the country.
Earlier this week, speaking at the Times Network India Economic Conclave 2025, Gadkari stated that the government aims to raise highway construction speed to 60 kilometers per day. He explained that the pace had slowed due to the absence of new projects under the Bharatmala scheme but emphasized that long-term infrastructure goals remain on track.
The Union minister also highlighted the government’s ambition to make India the world’s leading automobile manufacturing hub within the next 8 to 10 years. Currently, the US leads the global automobile industry with a market size of ₹78 lakh crore, followed by China at ₹47 lakh crore, while India stands at ₹22 lakh crore.
Gadkari further stressed the importance of strengthening the agricultural sector to accelerate GDP growth and ensure balanced economic development.
The brief but pointed exchange between Priyanka Gandhi and Nitin Gadkari has since sparked political discussion, with observers noting its implications for coordination between the opposition and the central government on constituency-related issues.
