Gadkari Stresses Pre-Cast Construction and River Dredging for Safer, Cost-Efficient Roads

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has called on engineers and infrastructure professionals to prioritize the adoption of pre-cast technology in road and building construction projects across India. According to him, wider use of pre-cast methods will significantly reduce construction costs, improve project quality, and help prevent accidents caused by poor workmanship.

Addressing members of the Institute of Engineers, Gadkari said that pre-cast construction allows faster project completion and uniform design quality, while minimizing material wastage. “Once the design pattern is finalized, construction costs will drop, quality will improve, and accidents will reduce,” he remarked.

Emphasizing the need for innovation in infrastructure, Gadkari highlighted how the recurring challenge of sand procurement in several parts of the country is being effectively addressed through the use of stone crushing. He also pointed out that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved a proposal to dredge rivers and backwaters in the state, allowing the extracted material to be reused for road construction. This approach, he said, would not only solve material shortages but also benefit the environment by improving river flow and reducing flooding risks.

Gadkari cited the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) achievements under the Amrit Sarovar Mission, where more than 1,000 water bodies in Maharashtra were rejuvenated. The initiative demonstrates how infrastructure projects can be aligned with environmental restoration.

Industry experts believe that Gadkari’s emphasis on pre-cast construction and sustainable material reuse will pave the way for safer, more resilient roads while aligning with India’s green development goals. The integration of environmental and engineering innovation, they say, marks a crucial step toward achieving efficiency and sustainability in India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure network.