Nitin Gadkari calls for adoption of alternative fuels in infra development

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 New Delhi, 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.
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.