Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari (the Minister) urged adoption of alternative fuels and innovative technologies in the construction sector while addressing the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards and Exhibition Viksit Bharat 2047 in New Delhi. He highlighted the role of innovation, technology and sustainable practices in shaping future infrastructure. The address underlined the need to promote biofuels, biomass-based fuels and other alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional fuels.

The Minister said that innovation, entrepreneurship, science, technology, research and skilled practices are essential for converting knowledge into wealth and that the construction sector is continuously evolving through research and technological change. He stressed that adopting modern technologies and improving processes can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce project costs. He also called for faster decision-making, better project planning and a stronger commitment to quality in infrastructure development.

The Minister noted that completing prerequisites such as land acquisition and statutory clearances in advance is crucial to ensure smooth execution of projects and to prevent procedural bottlenecks. He observed that past delays had severely affected project timelines and the financial health of contractors. He insisted that quality and performance should receive higher priority alongside cost considerations.

The Minister urged stakeholders to explore waste-to-wealth technologies, including recycling plastic waste and used tyres in road construction, and cited successful projects in Nagpur as indicative of potential gains. He encouraged greater collaboration between industry, research institutions and academia to develop research-based construction solutions and futuristic technologies. He remarked that Indian infrastructure companies have demonstrated capability by executing major projects in Dubai, Qatar and several African nations and that maintaining high standards will enhance the global reputation of the sector. He also presented the 17th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards and expressed confidence that engineers and builders will contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.