New Delhi, Apr 10: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari Friday emphasized the importance of innovation, technology and sustainable practices in the construction sector while underlining the need to promote alternative fuels and new technologies for the future of infrastructure development.
Addressing the gathering at the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards and Exhibition ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ at New Delhi, the Minister said that innovation, entrepreneurship, science, technology, research and skilled practices are essential for converting knowledge into wealth. He added that the construction sector is constantly evolving with continuous research, innovation and technological changes.
Emphasizing the need to reduce the cost of construction, Gadkari said that adopting modern technologies and improving processes can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce project costs. He stressed that infrastructure development requires faster decision-making, better project planning and strong commitment to quality.
The Minister highlighted the importance of completing key prerequisites such as land acquisition and statutory clearances in advance to ensure smooth execution of infrastructure projects. He noted that delays caused by pending clearances and procedural bottlenecks in the past had severely impacted project timelines and the financial health of contractors.
Gadkari also underlined the need to ensure quality-based evaluation in project implementation, stating that quality and performance must receive higher priority along with cost considerations.
Emphasising sustainable solutions, he urged stakeholders to explore the use of biofuels, biomass-based fuels and other alternative fuels, stating that such technologies can help reduce dependence on conventional fuels and lower operational costs. He also called for greater use of waste-to-wealth technologies, including recycling of plastic waste and used tyres in road construction.
Referring to successful innovations, the Minister said that the use of plastic waste in road construction has already shown positive results in projects such as those implemented in Nagpur, demonstrating the potential of sustainable materials in infrastructure development.
He further highlighted the importance of adopting futuristic technologies and research-based solutions and encouraged stronger collaboration between industry, research institutions and academia for developing innovative construction technologies.
Gadkari also noted that Indian infrastructure companies have demonstrated their capabilities globally, executing major projects in countries such as Dubai, Qatar and several African nations. He said maintaining high standards of quality and avoiding shortcuts will further enhance the global reputation of India’s construction industry.
The Minister also presented 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards to the winners at the ceremony and congratulated them for their contributions to quality and innovation in the construction and infrastructure sector. He expressed confidence that engineers, builders and professionals associated with the sector will play a crucial role in building world-class infrastructure and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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