Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently shared a noteworthy episode from 1995 when he declined Reliance Industries’ bid to construct the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, a decision that initially upset Dhirubhai Ambani the Reliance company’s founder.

Nitin Gadkari revealed that he was offered a Rs 3,600 crore bid from Reliance which he rejected and successfully completed the project for Rs 1,600 crore.

Despite the initial dissatisfaction from Dhirubhai Ambani, who doubted Gadkari’s ability to execute the project, Nitin Gadkari proved him wrong and has shown that he can work with an effective-cost approach successfully.

Dhirubhai, recognizing the efficient completion of the expressway, later praised Gadkari and compared him to a son, emphasizing the importance of such individuals for the country’s future.

This acknowledgment came after Dhirubhai introduced Gadkari to then-US President Bill Clinton during his visit to India. The Reliance founder, impressed by Gadkari’s swift progress, highlighted his contributions, saying, “He is our son. All the flyovers you saw on your way from the airport, he built it.”

Additionally, Gadkari shared a surprising tale from  a call of actor Amitabh Bachchan after the completion of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway.

Initially skeptical, Gadkari hung up, thinking it was a prank. However, when Bachchan called again and convinced him of his identity, the actor congratulated Gadkari for the successful construction of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

These incidents highlight how Gadkari’s cost-effective and efficient approach garnered admiration, even from influential figures in business and entertainment.