Union Minister Nitin Gadkari made a striking observation during a campaign rally in Nagpur, stating that work which delivers tangible results often attracts more opposition than actual wrongdoing. He used the example of the musical fountain at Futala Lake, a project he championed, to illustrate his point about the challenges of sustained development in a political environment.
The Futala Fountain: A Case Study in Opposition
Addressing a poll rally at Amar Nagar in South Nagpur for Mahayuti candidates, Gadkari recounted the journey of the Futala musical fountain project. "The number of enemies you create while doing good work is far more than enemies created while doing bad work," he told the gathering. He revealed that the project faced legal challenges, with people moving court against it.
Although the project ultimately won the legal battle in the Supreme Court, the minister pointed out an unfortunate consequence of the delay. The underwater pipes of the fountain were damaged during the protracted period of litigation, affecting its subsequent functioning. Gadkari framed this episode as a critical lesson for civic representatives, urging them to remain focused on execution and outcomes despite complaints, court challenges, or political attacks.
Infrastructure as the Core Campaign Pitch
While campaigning for candidates in Prabhags 34, 30, 32, and 18, the Nagpur MP consistently returned to the theme of urban infrastructure as the primary measure of governance. He stressed that infrastructure and basic service delivery are the issues voters notice first, as they directly shape a city's daily quality of life.
Gadkari's campaign meetings in areas like Ayodhya Nagar and Mahal focused on positioning civic works as everyday deliverables. He laid out a clear vision for Nagpur's development, emphasizing three core areas:
- 24x7 Water Supply: Arguing that water is a core public service, Gadkari stated that round-the-clock water supply should be a non-negotiable benchmark for the city.
- Better Internal Roads: Improving the city's road network was highlighted as a fundamental need.
- Self-Reliant Civic Systems: He pushed for models where urban local bodies can generate their own revenue instead of depending solely on grants.
Innovative Ideas for Civic Finance
In a notable suggestion for boosting municipal finances, Gadkari mentioned the idea of generating revenue by selling treated waste water. He presented this as a practical solution for urban local bodies to strengthen their financial health while simultaneously improving sanitation-linked infrastructure.
The Union Minister concluded by reinforcing that development cannot be halted due to opposition or criticism. He maintained that obstacles are often part of the process for visible, impactful projects, and the focus must remain on persistent execution for public good.
