The Centre on Tuesday called for innovative technology in the area of roads and highways’ construction.
Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, during a review meeting of the ongoing road highways and 22 Green expressways, directed the officials of Road Transport Highways Ministry (MoRTH) and NHAI to maintain the pace of highway making and keep on using new technologies for a durable road and highways infrastructure in the country.
Gadkari’s deputy Gen VK Singh, MoRTH Secretary Girdhar Armane and top officials of the ministry and NHAI were present during the review meeting held at Transport Bhawan after two months due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
The meeting dwelt on how the government is making massive investments in the highway sector and the ambitious project of 22 new ‘green highways’ in the country.
Sources said that Gadkari mentioned that the government is looking for ways to cut down the usage of key raw materials such as steel and cement in the construction of new roads and bridges.
The Minister also pointed that without compromising on quality, there was a need to reduce the cost of construction of roads and bridges.
Gadkari said the government officials should positively support new ideas. “We should accept successful practices of road construction in the world and accept it in Indian scenario,” he said.
The union minister further requested participants to come up with innovations to reduce cost and volume of cement and steel in the construction of roads.
“Reduce the use of steel and cement in construction of roads and bridges...I want to teach lessons to cartels of steel and cement companies,” Gadkari said.
He also reviewed the Bharatmala and Char Dham projects and appreciated the efforts being put to implement these ambitious projects.