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Technology must be economically viable and safe for Infra Projects : Nitin Gadkari

The infrastructure development is one of the important agenda for our government, without it we cannot make Atma Nirbhar Bharat

The infrastructure development is one of the important agenda for our government, without it we cannot make Atma Nirbhar Bharat.  Developments  in the field of water, power, transport and communication, are very important for our country because by creating such infrastructure, we can also create immence employment opportunity in industry and business, said Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways at an ASSOCHAM event.
 
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi developing road infrastructure and tunnel, has a huge potential for auto investment and development in this area. Regarding bridges and tunnels, these are very crucial work, and our objective is to reduce the cost without compromise with the quality, said Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon’ble Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways at ASSOCHAM’s Annual Infrastructure Conference CEOs Roundtable Discussion and Achiever Awards 2024 at New Delhi today.
  
He said, there are a lot of tunnels not only in road and highways sector but also Railways. Besides central Government,  state government are also developing tunnel infrastructure development. 
 
Thie issue of importing machinery from China is very difficult. Need different types of machinery. Reducing the cost is the need of the world, stated Shri Gadkari.  On the basis of that, we have to make technology economically viable and safe. We have just accepted a particularly formulated new policy for using the malicious technology that enforces ultra-modern concrete, where we are using steel fiber in the casting, and that is going to be a good successful experiment.
 
Key tunnel project in India is development of tunnels like  Zojila Tunnel, which is 14.2 km and costing 6,500 crores and 55% overall physical progress is completed. This is one of Asia’s most important and longest tunnels at an altitude of about 9,800 feet under Zojila Pass, highlighted by Mr. Gadkari.
 
The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Tunnel, 9 km, where we spent 4,000 crores for that project. India's longest road operated tunnel reaching from Chenani–Nashri.
 
Himalayan terrain, there is a different geology in different parts of the country, particularly in the Atal Tunnel also, there were a lot of challenges. The size of the tunnel, 9.2 km, cost 4,500 crores and which is the world's longest highway tunnel about 10,000 feet. All weather connectivity between Leh and Manali, this tunnel is very important, stated Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
 
In particular, making bridges in Brahmaputra, in Ganga, we have to find out some new options and methodology, by which we can reduce the time and the cost. Precast is one of the important things where in the country, in every district, our idea is to have precast industries, it is building construction, bridge construction, road construction, how we can use precast technology for that is very important. Regarding the construction of grain on the national highway also, the quality is not up to the mark.
 
We have the standards and code for India. In the India Road Congress, I suggested, why are you not making the international code, standard code, for bridges and tunnels? Why are not making one policy for the whole world? I can understand, in the, in different parts of the area, there is a different type of land is there, so we may have some different type of methodology and technology, but by the policy, if we have a common policy, then 100%, it is going to be helpful for all the stakeholders, said Shri Gadkari.
 
While presenting the awards, shri Ajay Tamta, Minister of State (MoS), Road Transport and Highways said, the inauguration of the 17-tunnel network on the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line by 2025 marks a transformative leap in India's infrastructure development. With advancements in technology, trains will soon operate seamlessly in high-altitude mountainous terrains, strengthening connectivity to border areas. Extending the network to Ramnagar and beyond will not only boost regional growth but also fortify critical infrastructure for national security. These initiatives underscore India's commitment to innovation and robust connectivity in challenging geographies.
 
An industry special session was conducted by Shri V Umashankar IAS secretary to the govt of  India MoRTH. Other speakers who were present were Mr Ashutosh Chandwar Chairman ASSOCHAM National council on Underground construction and Tunneling; Mr Manoj Kumar Chief Engineer MoRTH; Mr Adil SMH Director GEED Simulation; Mr George Cherian VSM ADGBR; Mr Ajendra Agarwal MD GR Infra and Co chair ASSOCHAM National council on roads and highways. 

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