Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says, safety should be given highest priority while constructing roads to bring down accidents

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has stressed that road safety should be given the highest priority while constructing pathways in the country to prevent road accidents and consequent deaths.

Mr. Gadkari was speaking after inaugurating the 83rd annual session of the Indian Roads Congress at Raipur in Chhattisgarh last evening. He said, efforts are being made to improve the shortcomings in road engineering and automobile engineering but defective detailed project report has created a major problem. Pointing at the gathering of officials and engineers, the minister said no tenders should be issued without carefully examining detailed project report. He said, improvement in road engineering will curb accidents and save lives

The Minister urged officials, experts, and contractors in the road and transport sector to adopt successful global practices and innovations, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to road sector development Mr. Gadkari emphasised on production of bitumen and CNG from stubble in agriculture-dominated Chhattisgarh, arguing the move will cut dependence on fossil fuels and check pollution.

The Union Minister said that developing infrastructure will drive industrial growth, increase employment, reduce poverty, and make the country self-reliant. Over two thousand experts, scientists, engineers, and officials are participating in the four-day session, which will conclude on Monday. During the session, various topics related to road construction and road safety will be discussed.