The National Conference for Civil Engineers and Professionals from Allied Industries was held on Sunday and organised by the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (ACCE). While addressing the attendees at the conference, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari pressed on for further infrastructure development including road construction, river connectivity, solid and liquid waste management, parking plaza, irrigation, bus-ports, ropeways and cable car projects.
We are making 26 green express highways and logistics parks of Rs 2 lakh crore. At the same time, we have many innovative ideas by which we can develop infrastructure further. We need to accept good technology, research, innovation and successful practices from across the world and from within India. We should use alternative materials to reduce cost without compromising on quality.”
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways of India
He also shared his vision for the development of transportation infrastructure in India, especially for the road transport, and cited the example of the Mumbai-Delhi Expressway which is 70% completed. Gadkari also urged the industry professionals and civil engineering community to inculcate eco-friendly alternatives in road construction.
Gadkari said, “You should find alternatives to cement and other raw materials. Glass fibre steel can be used in place of steel. If there is competition, the cost will come down and become reasonable.”
He also proposed the idea of using alternative fuels like the concept of green hydrogen being developed in India. He said that there are many ways to artificially create hydrogen from various resources and he aims to make it available for commercial use at USD 1 per litre, to be used in aviation, railway, bus, truck, chemical and fertiliser industry instead of coal and petroleum.
