Raipur: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the 83rd annual session of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Raipur, announcing a significant leap forward for Chhattisgarh's infrastructure. During the event, Gadkari highlighted the urgent need to address flawed road engineering, a leading cause of the rising road accidents in the country. With over 1.68 lakh road accident fatalities reported annually, of which 60% are in the age group of 18-34, he emphasized safety as a top priority in road construction.

Gadkari acknowledged the challenges in road and automobile engineering, expressing his personal accountability if road engineering errors lead to fatalities. He called on government engineers to consider establishing private firms for creating high-quality Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), assuring priority work assignments for skilled engineers to improve road safety.

Approval of ₹20,000 Crore for Chhattisgarh's Road Infrastructure

The Union Minister announced a ₹20,000 crore approval for road projects across Chhattisgarh, aiming to transform the state’s road network to American standards within two years. He outlined the green-lit projects, which include converting key national highways to four-lane roads, as well as the construction of four new flyovers in Raipur at Sarona, Udyog Bhavan, Telibandha, and Dhaneli Junction.

Gadkari also praised the state’s innovative approach in adopting bamboo crash barriers, produced in Bemetara, as an eco-friendly alternative to steel. He urged Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai to consider bamboo crash barriers for highway safety across Chhattisgarh, highlighting their benefits for local farmers and environmental sustainability.

New Projects and Strategic Developments

The approved projects for four-lane conversions include:

• NH-30 from Dhamtari to Jagdalpur
• NH-130D from Raipur to Baloda Bazaar and Sarangarh
• NH-130 from Katghora to Ambikapur
• Bilaspur to Akaltara and from Raigarh to the Odisha border

Additional approvals were given for upgrading single-lane to two-lane roads from Panduka to Jharia Bahar and Jharia Bahar to Mandaguda on NH-130C. Gadkari further announced ₹900 crore from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for ongoing infrastructure improvements in Chhattisgarh.

Sustainable Solutions and Environmental Impact

At the IRC session, Gadkari promoted eco-friendly alternatives for road construction, advocating the production of bio-bitumen and biofuels from paddy straw. This innovation, already utilized in Meghalaya and Panipat, aligns with India’s vision of a sustainable infrastructure. Gadkari highlighted that India's bitumen demand stands at 90 lakh metric tonnes, while current production only meets half of that. Producing bio-bitumen locally could reduce import dependence and turn waste into wealth.

The Union Minister also emphasized that advancing road infrastructure in India, particularly through capital investments, would create jobs, reduce poverty, and contribute to India's self-reliance.

Chief Minister’s Address on Sustainable Development

Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, who presided over the inauguration, echoed the commitment to sustainable development. He pointed out that the transportation sector contributes 40% to the country’s pollution levels and called for integrated approaches to infrastructure that balance development with environmental preservation. Sai also advocated for the construction of roadside amenities, such as public toilets, to enhance road user convenience.

The event underscored Chhattisgarh’s commitment to positioning itself among India’s leading states in infrastructure and development. Hosting the 83rd IRC annual session reflects the state’s ambition to embrace advanced road engineering practices and contribute to India's mission to become a $5 trillion economy.