Govt mandates use of concrete elements to push green roads

20 Apr 2022 CW Team

The latest policy decision by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is aimed at pollution reduction at construction sites, besides quick completion of work and improved aesthetics.

Its use has been made mandatory on the national highways, expressways, and other centrally-sponsored road projects.

The minimum mandatory usage should be 25% of total concrete volume other than the foundations, road overbridges, sub-structures of bridges, and viaducts.

Factory-manufactured pre-cast concrete has advantages such as allowing all-weather and fast construction, enhanced performance durability, reliable quality, and better aesthetics due to uniformity in appearance. Besides, there is less carbon emission and reduced noise and air pollution due to rarer on-site construction activities.

The decision, when executed, will also play an integral role in accelerating the development of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, the circular said.

With big-ticket infrastructure projects being undertaken across the country, pollution caused by construction dust remains a key concern of urban planners, policymakers, and environmental experts. Construction activity in Delhi is stopped for a brief period in winters when the alarming rise in pollution levels makes the national capital choke.

Apart from pollution problems, the government has also been looking at the quick completion of projects. This is another reason behind pushing for pre-fabricated concrete elements.

The MoRTH note has been shared with chief secretaries of states and UTs and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Border Road Organisation (BRO), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, and public work departments (PWD) of states and UTs for compliance.

The ministry will make provisions in contract and concession agreement papers for the inclusion of mandatory use of factory manufactured pre-fabricated concrete elements in projects within a 100 km radius of the pre-cast factory to ensure effective implementation of the decision.

Image Source

Also read: More greenfield highways to be built as part of NH development

In specific construction projects, The government has mandated the use of pre-cast concrete elements in at least 25% of the total concrete volume, other than the foundation work. It aimed at reducing pollution at construction sites. The latest policy decision by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is aimed at pollution reduction at construction sites, besides quick completion of work and improved aesthetics. Its use has been made mandatory on the national highways, expressways, and other centrally-sponsored road projects. The minimum mandatory usage should be 25% of total concrete volume other than the foundations, road overbridges, sub-structures of bridges, and viaducts. Factory-manufactured pre-cast concrete has advantages such as allowing all-weather and fast construction, enhanced performance durability, reliable quality, and better aesthetics due to uniformity in appearance. Besides, there is less carbon emission and reduced noise and air pollution due to rarer on-site construction activities. The decision, when executed, will also play an integral role in accelerating the development of the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, the circular said. With big-ticket infrastructure projects being undertaken across the country, pollution caused by construction dust remains a key concern of urban planners, policymakers, and environmental experts. Construction activity in Delhi is stopped for a brief period in winters when the alarming rise in pollution levels makes the national capital choke. Apart from pollution problems, the government has also been looking at the quick completion of projects. This is another reason behind pushing for pre-fabricated concrete elements. The MoRTH note has been shared with chief secretaries of states and UTs and officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Border Road Organisation (BRO), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, and public work departments (PWD) of states and UTs for compliance. The ministry will make provisions in contract and concession agreement papers for the inclusion of mandatory use of factory manufactured pre-fabricated concrete elements in projects within a 100 km radius of the pre-cast factory to ensure effective implementation of the decision. Image Source Also read: More greenfield highways to be built as part of NH development

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..