Gadkari underlines need for climate-resilient road infra in fragile Himalayan region
A policy decision has been taken to prioritise slope stabilisation in hilly terrain, says the Union Minister
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said developing climate-resilient road infrastructure in the geologically fragile Himalayan region remains a major challenge due to its complex terrain and recurring natural disasters.
He, however, emphasised that sustained efforts are being undertaken through adoption of global best practices and advanced technologies.
Addressing a workshop on 'Landslide Mitigation Measures for Resilient Hill Roads' here, the minister said key agreements are being signed for specialised landslide treatment in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, geo-hazard mitigation, geological investigations and data sharing for tunnel and corridor projects.
"We are also collaborating with the National Institute of Rock Mechanics on geotechnical scrutiny, design validation, tunnel safety audits, instrumentation monitoring and capacity building," he said.
Gadkari also said a policy decision has been taken to prioritise slope stabilisation before commencement of road construction in hilly terrain to ensure long-term safety and durability.
"An MoU has been signed for deployment of InSAR-based landslide monitoring and early warning systems along a 100-km stretch of the Chardham route in Uttarakhand," he said.
Speaking at another event, Gadkari said vehicles running on petrol and diesel have no long-term future and urged the auto industry to accelerate its shift towards cleaner and alternative fuel technologies.
He noted that fossil fuels pose “serious problems” for the country, both in terms of rising import costs and environmental impact. He stressed that India must move towards more sustainable solutions such as biofuels, CNG, LNG and electric power trains.
According to him, this transition will also play a key role in strengthening public transport systems across the country.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, the minister revealed that pilot projects for hydrogen-powered mobility are already underway.
He said hydrogen trucks and buses are currently being tested on 10 routes, with major manufacturers like Tata Motors, Volvo, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra involved in these trials.
