New Delhi: India is working towards ensuring that most of the construction-related materials are pre-fabricated, except for making foundations for bridges and other things, said General VK Singh, Union Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation, at the conference on ‘Decarbonising Construction: Building a Low Carbon Future’ organised by industry chamber FICCI.
He averred that pre-fabricated material ensures lesser pollution and optimal use of other raw materials. “There is much more emphasis coming in," he said, adding, "the day is not far when we will be able to make road surfaces with prefab things that come from the factory and just be laid,” he added.
Addressing the gathering of industry persons and other stakeholders, the Minister outlined numerous efforts taken by the government on decarbonising. These included the adoption of alternative and flex fuels, green highways, airports running on renewable energy, hydrogen cell technology, a conducive policy environment for electric vehicles, and PM GatiShakti Master Plan.
Speaking on green highways, Minister Gen. Singh underscored that the emphasis is on using indigenous varieties of plants - Neem, Peepal, and Banyan, among others, on either side of the expressways and highways. He added that more than 5000 kilometres of plantations are already developed at the cost of Rs 650 crore. In addition, he informed that the government is co-opting the local population in managing these plants.
Shailesh Pathak, Immediate Past Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on Transport Infrastructure, said: “We are looking for regulatory and other support, including incentives from the government, to ensure that we all decarbonise together in transport.” He underlined that “decarbonising is not only about better technology. It is also about process reform."
He alluded to GST, which led to a smoother inter-state movement of goods, as a decarbonising measure. He suggested further reducing ship turnaround times under the GatiShakti Mission and quickening truck transit times. /BI/
