Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari upheld the advantages of using stainless steel in coastal construction, citing the recent collapse of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at the recently concluded FICCI conference.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, underscored the benefits of using stainless steel in infrastructure as he said, “If stainless steel had been used for the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, it would have never collapsed.” The 35-feet tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023 fell down on 26 August 2024. The reason was attributed to heavy rains and strong winds.
Shri Gadkari was speaking at the FICCI Tunnelling India Conference when he made this statement. He also added, “I feel that stainless steel should be used within 30 km of the sea…”
Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Shri Sharad Pawar applauded Shri Gadkari’s speech, and commented that he would have made such a statement only after taking the opinion of experts.
In his speech, the minister also emphasised the critical need for technology upgrades, cost-effective strategies and high-quality standards in India’s tunnelling sector during his address.
He highlighted the government’s progress, revealing that 35 tunnels spanning 49 kilometres have been completed at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore. An additional 69 tunnels covering 134 kilometres are currently under construction, with an estimated investment of Rs 40,000 crore. Looking forward, plans for 74 more tunnels, stretching 273 kilometres and projected to cost Rs 100,000 crore, are in the pipeline.
Shri Gadkari called for the adoption of the best global practices and technologies tailored to India’s diverse and challenging terrains, particularly in the Himalayan region. He advocated for innovative techniques such as precast technology and push-back methods to address issues like landslides.
The minister also stressed the importance of performance audits over financial audits, advocating for a comprehensive evaluation of projects from the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage to implementation. This, he argued, would ensure optimal technology use, quality assurance, and cost efficiency.
In his address, Shri Gadkari proposed reusing materials excavated during tunnel construction as a sustainable and cost-saving measure. He urged the industry to explore ways to repurpose these materials in road construction, potentially reducing project costs and promoting environmental sustainability.
Bhavani Koneru, Executive Vice President at Larsen & Toubro and member of the FICCI Committee on Transport Infrastructure, emphasised the need for India to develop indigenous tunnelling technologies suited to its unique geological conditions. She also highlighted the importance of localising the supply chain, particularly in producing components like rubber gaskets, which are currently imported.
Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of the Border Roads Organisation, also addressed the conference, noting the limitless opportunities for tunnelling in India and the importance of knowledge sharing and site visits.
During the event, Minister Gadkari released the FICCI-CRISIL Knowledge Report titled “Advancing Tunnelling in India: Challenges, Priorities, and Potential Solutions,” offering insights into the future of the tunnelling industry in India.
