The Centre will grant go-ahead to any developer interested in bringing in new methods of road building, provided they are better or at par with the Indian standards. In an order dated February 11, Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways have permitted the developers the use of new technology, material for highways construction, without any new tests or approvals by Government bodies in India.
The permission, however, is subject to a certified performance report from the user agencies of major developed countries, where the where the proposed material or technology has been successfully used.
“This is a revolutionary order as it gives the developer a free-hand in choosing his choice of technology and material provided it meets the current standards of road construction,” said an official from MoRTH.
“Earlier, these developers were jittery in introducing any new technology or material as they had to undergo a series of clearances from various departments of the ministry of roads and highways. Often the junior officers would reject any proposal fearing a negative outcome of the proposed technology,” he said.
The note also says that the “the new, alternative materials or technology should be given priority in field trials and the performance evaluated over a period of time to enable formulation of guidelines and codes of their practice for future use.”
Since taking over as the Minister of roads and transport, Nitin Gadkari has on several instances in the past, urged the need for developers to use alternate means of construction, which are maybe cheaper but studier and more efficient.
last week, the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways along with the World Bank organised a workshop cum exhibition on ‘adoption of innovative technologies and material for road construction in India.’