Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is all set to encourage adoption of new innovative materials and technology in road construction and has already set up a national panel to study and take on what is being offered by the technology promoters in the road construction sector.
“Government is open to adopt and try newer and innovative technologies for road construction by various technology promoters to improve the economic and environment viability of the projects as it is necessary to cut down construction costs by employing new materials, innovative technology, and by fast tracking decision making to avoid associated cost escalation” said General Vijay Kumar Singh (retired) , Union Minister of State for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) while inaugurating a daylong conference on ‘New and Emerging Technologies in Road Construction ‘ organised by FICCI here today.
“The road construction industry should develop innovative and eco-friendly materials as well use recovered and recycled materials to further green the transport infrastructure. The infrastructure sector, particularly highways, can spur economic growth. It is a sector which will propel the growth of the country for that we need sustainable roads and highways,” The Minister said.
“Amid talks of slowing global economy, highways sector has the potential to revive growth citing how the US survived economic depression.
During 1930s (Great) Depression, the US survived because it built road infrastructure, which spurred steel industry, cement industry, automotive, labour market. Everybody is talking about economic slowdown which is a global phenomenon but in this slowdown if we want to spur the growth then the sector which must receive attention is infrastructure and especially the road infrastructure sector.” Gen Singh added.
“There is also urgent need to streamline the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) preparing process as in most cases the project reports are delayed ,ill-conceived and not based on ground realities, which is causing undue delays in project execution and one of the main reasons for cost escalations. There is an urgent need to develop a positive, transparent, corruption free working system by adopting newer technologies including use of Artificial Intelligence, GPS and satellite technologies with time bound decision making. Delayed decisions are totally unacceptable as they lead to colossal loss of time “ he added
“National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is open to adoption of new road construction technologies provided they have good past performance record and are as per the tender specifications .To promote green construction NHAi will be bringing out a new document on use of waste plastic in road construction within a month “ said Mr R,K Pandey, Member Projects, NHAI.
“ The Government should have provision of use of Local construction materials in the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) so that local natural resources can be used for constructing eco friendly sustainable roads .The The public Private Parteshi should further be encouraged ” said Mr K.K.Kapila Co-chairperson, FICCI Infra Committee on Transport while speaking on the occasion .
The others who were present on the occasion included FICCI president Sandip Somany and Mr Satish Chandra, director, Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) .
