He was addressing a gathering in Nagpur after the inauguration of the conference “Asian Scenario on Infrastructural Development (ASID-26)”, organised by the Nagpur Centre of the Indian Concrete Institute.
Infrastructure development is the most crucial factor in transforming India into a leading economy, said the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
Stressing the need to promote the use of alternative and discarded material in infrastructure development, he said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has so far utilised around 80 tonnes of municipal waste in road construction.
He said a kilometre-long stretch of the Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway had been constructed using bio-bitumen, adding that research was underway on the use of rubber tyre powder, plastic and various waste materials in road construction.
However, the Union minister said that while using alternative materials, it was essential to maintain quality standards and remain mindful of the economy, environment, ecological balance and ethics.
Gadkari said knowledge and technology were the key pillars of infrastructure development.He emphasised the need to develop new technologies, saying India was progressing and there was a huge demand for Indian materials because of their quality and the adoption of new technologies.
The Union minister also urged the foreign delegates to formulate an international code of conduct for the infrastructure sector and develop a dedicated website to bring together new ideas and technologies from across the world.
“One thing I would again request the honourable people coming from different parts of the world is to consider developing an international code,” said the Union minister.
He urged the delegates to collaborate and develop a website as a ‘Bank of Ideas’ initiative and research platform, which can allow people from around the world to submit all types of research there.
People can then conduct whatever testing and other processes are required, he said. “After that, we can incorporate all these things into the international code. That can be a great thing for the world,” he added.