’Improving infrastructure sector’ with better research needed

’Improving infrastructure sector’ with better research needed

Mangalore Today News Network

Manipal, March 29, 2016 : Delivering a lecture on “Education for Development” organised by the T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), here; Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, on March 28, Monday stated that there should be more research on improving the infrastructure sector in the country.

Minister Gadkari said that there was no lack of resources in the country, but there was a lack of vision. “More than technology and research, a vision is essential. Leadership with vision could create miracles,” he said. “Conversion of knowledge into wealth involves everyone. The people in the country are competent. But they should get the opportunity. More research and technological competence is required to reduce the cost and improve delivery,” he said.

Emphasising on reducing pollution, Minister Gadkari said that there was a huge potential for bio-diesel and bio-CNG. “If methane from waste water is converted into bio-CNG, it would be possible to run at least 50,000 buses. The plan of my ministry is to run 100 buses on bio-CNG, cost effectively,” he said.

Stating that the sugar industry in the country was facing problems, he said that at present ethanol was being made from molasses from sugar factories. “We are adding five per cent ethanol in petrol. We are soon going to run 50 buses entirely on ethanol in Nagpur (Maharashtra). It will be possible to run cars and trucks on ethanol. Ethanol is a bio-fuel which will also help farmers in rural areas,” he said.

Union Minister  Gadkari said his ministry would start road works worth Rs. 2,00,000 crore before May 26 and would take up works worth Rs. 3,00,000 crore next year. The Minister said that his ministry has taken a decision to increase the length of National Highways from the existing 96,000 km to 2 lakh km. Already, 1.55 lakh km of road had been declared as NHs, he said.

Minister  Gadkari added that his ministry was giving importance to developing inland waterways in 111 rivers across the country because it was cost effective compared to other modes of transport.