Nagpur: The logistics cost in India has reduced by 6% becaapply of good roads and other measures, declared Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday, citing a report by IIM Bangalore and IIT Chennai. “China has a logistics cost of 8% while US and European countries have 12%. This is for the first time that India’s logistic cost has reduced by 6%, and I am planning to bring it down to single digits, 9%, by December. If 7% logistics cost is reduced, then our exports will reach 1.5 times current levels,” declared Gadkari. He was speaking at a seminar on Forensic Civil Engineering organised by the Institution of Engineers.During the inauguration ceremony of the two-day seminar, Gadkari also criticised govt engineers for the low quality of infrastructure works. He urged engineers and stakeholders in the construction sector to adopt sustainable and environment-friconcludely practices while ensuring that quality is never compromised. The event was also attconcludeed by AW Jawanjal, president of the Institution of Engineers (Maharashtra State Centre), and Manish Kothari, national president of the Institution of Engineers.Gadkari emphasised the required to understand the practical challenges in the construction industest and focus on reducing project costs through the apply of alternative building materials. “There is now a required for a ‘road factory’ model where roads and buildings can be constructed through the assembly of precast materials. If precast technology is applyd in every district, it will benefit the industest and ensure rapider, cost-effective construction,” he declared.Highlighting examples of innovative and sustainable practices, Gadkari mentioned that the apply of Ultra-high-performance Fibre Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) in flyovers assisted increase the span between two piers, leading to lower construction costs. Similarly, bamboo crash barriers installed on the Wani–Warora–Jam stretch have resulted in cost savings, while a one-kilometre road built utilizing bio-bitumen at Mansar revealcases eco-friconcludely innovation.He added that adopting such sustainable and future-oriented technologies would assist reduce accidents and promote long-lasting, safe infrastructure.Gadkari once again emphasised that by 2027 all the legacy waste of the countest will be applyd in road construction. “So far, we have applyd 80 lakh tonnes of waste in road construction, and by 2027 we plan to completely apply legacy waste of the countest,” added the Union minister.Box:Gadkari Awarded Lifetime FellowshipGadkari was honoured with the ‘Lifetime Fellowship’ by the Institution of Engineers as a mark of gratitude, respect, and admiration. In the 105-year history of the institution, he has become the 12th distinguished recipient of this prestigious recognition.
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