Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday called for greater adoption of alternative fuels and innovative technologies in the construction sector, stressing the need for sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure development.
Addressing the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards and Exhibition ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ in the national capital, the Minister highlighted the role of innovation, entrepreneurship, science and technology in driving growth. He said that continuous research and technological advancement are essential to transform knowledge into economic value.
Focusing on efficiency, the Minister emphasised the importance of reducing construction costs through modern technologies and improved processes. He noted that faster decision-making, better planning and a strong commitment to quality are critical for timely execution of infrastructure projects.
He also underlined the need to complete key prerequisites such as land acquisition and statutory clearances in advance. According to him, delays due to procedural bottlenecks in the past have affected project timelines and strained the financial position of contractors.
Highlighting quality standards, Gadkari said that project evaluation should prioritise quality and performance alongside cost considerations, ensuring durable and reliable infrastructure.
On sustainability, the Minister urged stakeholders to explore biofuels, biomass-based fuels and other alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional fuels. He also advocated the use of waste-to-wealth technologies, including recycling of plastic waste and used tyres in road construction.
Referring to existing examples, he noted that the use of plastic waste in road projects in Nagpur has delivered encouraging results, demonstrating the viability of sustainable materials in infrastructure development.
The Minister further called for stronger collaboration between industry, research institutions and academia to promote innovation and adopt futuristic construction technologies.
He observed that Indian infrastructure companies have executed major projects globally, including in Dubai, Qatar and parts of Africa, and said maintaining high quality standards will further enhance their global reputation.
Gadkari also presented the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards to winners, acknowledging their contributions to innovation and quality in the construction sector. He expressed confidence that professionals in the sector will play a key role in building world-class infrastructure and advancing the vision of a developed India by 2047.
