New Delhi, — Minister for Roadways Nitin Gadkari has laid out an ambitious plan to revolutionize India’s national highways by opting for concrete over traditional bitumen. This strategic shift aims not only to modernize infrastructure but also to substantially reduce construction costs.
Addressing historical concerns related to safety on cement-concrete highways, Gadkari highlighted the evolution of tyre technology since the inception of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway in 2002. Despite instances of tyre bursts due to heat, he reassured that advancements in technology have rendered such issues obsolete. However, the minister acknowledged the possibility of reverting to bitumen surfacing if any problems arise.
The initiative places a special emphasis on hilly states like Himachal Pradesh and the northeast, known for frequent landslides. This targeted focus aligns with the broader vision of widening highways and rectifying accident-prone black spots. The government has earmarked a substantial budget of ₹11,000 crore to address these identified 726 black spots on national highways.
In a nod to environmental sustainability, Gadkari revealed plans to hire international consultants with expertise in transplanting trees. This innovative approach aims to minimize deforestation during road development projects, reflecting a growing commitment to ecologically responsible infrastructure practices.
Adapting to the surge in vehicle ownership and rising traffic, the road ministry has adjusted rules for double-lane roads. The threshold for widening such roads has been lowered to accommodate areas with a movement of over 10,000 four-wheelers, down from the previous 15,000. Gadkari stressed the goal of ensuring that no national highway in the country remains single-lane, with a particular focus on regions prone to landslides.
The announcements coincide with the launch of the road safety week, scheduled from January 11 to 17, signaling a comprehensive approach to road infrastructure development and safety enhancement.
