Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 19: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MRTH) as part of its green initiatives has made efforts to transplant big trees and use industrial wastes in road construction activities.
‘‘We have started two pilot projects in this regard in Haryana. The big trees will be uprooted and planted in other suitable location,’’ S N Das, director general of Road Development and Special Secretary in the MTRHs, said during inauguration of 75th Indian Road Congress (IRC) here Monday.
He said only durable trees can be shifted from one location to another. ‘‘We have inspected the particular machinery used in transplantation of big trees of 100 years old in Gujarat. Our officers are on the job,’’ Das said.
Stating that the ministry was working to reduce the number of trees being cut down for construction of roads, Das said plans were also made to include the expenditure towards transplantation of tree in the project cost of the road.
Inaugurating the 75th Annual Session of Indian Road Congress here, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stressed the importance of adopting innovative technologies for infrastructure development and timely completion of road projects in the state.
He said, “I am glad Orissa is hosting this prestigious platinum session of IRC. Importance of infrastructure development is well known. I hope this IRC will have meaningful deliberation on infrastructure development.”
‘‘I would like to propose the IRC to meaningfully deliberate on utilisation of the industrial wastes such as fly ash, slag and plastic wastes in road construction. Orissa generates nearly 25 million tonne fly ash.’’
Patnaik said productive use of industrial wastes can greatly contribute to reduction of pollution in manufacturing sector. Technocrats in road communication sector can play a significant role in constructive disposal of these material.
Referring to Patnaik’s proposal to use industrial wastes in road construction, Das said the Centre has issued a notification for use of fly ash in road construction.
Das said the Centre has suggested to agencies like state PWDs, NHAI and BRO (border roads organisation) to send proposals for constructing roads by use of industrial wastes like fly ash and steel plant slags.
‘‘We have already taken up the matter with industries. Tata Steel, SAIL, Jindal and other steel makers were suggested to give free of cost slag for road construction. The companies are keen on developing roads with this technology in their respective areas,’’ Das informed the session.
Das said the NHAI can use industrial wastes in one of the 10-kilometre-long road project on experimental basis. They can also use 30 per cent fly ash in road construction, he said, adding the ministry’s decision to go for concrete construction of roads as national highways will help provide employment to youths in cement industries and reduce import cost of bitumen.
IRC president Sunil Bhowmik said over 6000 engineers of the state are likely to be benefitted from this five day-long event. They may imbibe knowledge about utilisation of modern and green technologies in the field of road construction and infrastructure.
