Nagpur, October 3: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called for the creation of an international code of conduct for the infrastructure sector and proposed a global “Bank of Ideas” to bring together research, technologies and best practices from around the world.
Speaking at the Asian Scenario on Infrastructural Development (ASID-26) conference in Nagpur, Gadkari said infrastructure development would be central to India’s ambition of becoming a leading economy.
He urged experts and delegates from different countries to work towards a common international framework that could incorporate new technologies, research findings and proven practices in infrastructure development.
Gadkari also proposed the creation of a dedicated global website that could function as a “Bank of Ideas”, allowing researchers and institutions to submit innovations and studies for evaluation and possible inclusion in the proposed code.
The minister said infrastructure development plays a key role in attracting investment, supporting industrial growth and generating employment, while stressing the importance of water, power, transport and communication infrastructure for economic development.
He also highlighted the use of alternative and waste-based materials in infrastructure construction, saying such approaches could support sustainability and reduce costs, provided quality standards are maintained.
Gadkari said the National Highways Authority of India has used around 80 tonnes of municipal waste in road construction and cited a one-kilometre stretch of the Nagpur-Jabalpur Highway where bio-bitumen has been used.
He added that research is also underway on the use of rubber tyre powder, plastic and other waste materials in road construction.
Gadkari said greater use of knowledge, technology and sustainable materials would be important for improving infrastructure quality while addressing economic and environmental considerations.
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