UP to use foreign tech in building low cost roads

LUCKNOW:Uttar Pradesh government would host a two-day international conference on roads from Friday in which experts from abroad would throw light on new technology to build better but low-cost roads by conserving environment and natural resources.

“This is the first time that a state is organising such a big conference, which would be inaugurated jointly by Union Surface Transport minister Nitin Gadkari and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. Foreign experts and several chief ministers from other states would also participate in the conference,” said host and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Experts in the field of road construction and equipment development from almost all IITs and other renowned organisations from the country would be attending the conference.

The ruling party had promised pot-hole-free roads in the state in its manifesto. Consequently, the BJP government has earmarked approximately Rs 18,000 crore for building new and repairing existing roads. An estimated Rs 3.50 crore per kilometer is spent on building a new road. Maurya, who also holds the charge of Public Works Department (PWD), the agency which constructs roads in the state, said the state government was committed to building not only better roads in less time but also wanted to bring down the construction cost. “This is would become possible only when we use and adopt the latest machines and technology in the sector,” he said.

Experts from UK, Germany and the Netherlands, technocrats and road scientists from IITs and CRRI would participate in the technical sessions to make officials and delegates aware about the new technical knowhow and development of road in their countries. CMs of Bihar, Uttarakahnd, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are also expected to attend.