Roads are Key to Over-all Economic Development- Shri Sarvey Sathyanarayana
The Minister of state for Road Transport and Highways Shri Sarvey Sathyanarayana has highlighted the key role being played by the road sector in the over-all economic development of the country.Speaking at the 73rd Annual session of the Indian Roads Congress being held at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the Minister impressed upon the need for pooling resources to achieve higher growth in the sector as well as in the economy. He also highlighted the commitment of the UPA Government to an all around development of road network in the country and the thrust being given to all areas of the infrastructure for the better life of the people of the country.

The 73rd Annual Session of the Indian Roads Congress is being held at Coimbatore from 7th to 11th January 2013. The biggest road sector meet has been inaugurated by Shri Sarvey Sathyanarayana, the Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways.

More than 2500 delegates from all over India and abroad are attending the 5 days mega event. The highlights of this 5 days mega event include presentation by “Global Road Safety Fund” of the World Bank on their initiative in India. 3 parallel Technical Session covering about 63 presentations including the presentation from the M.Tech/Research students for the first time, Expert talk on innovative techniques/technology adopted by various organizations to boost the innovations in the road sector, Panel Discussion on “ Challenges, Constraints and Strengths – Way forward in Highway Sector – Enhancing Value of Road Sector Assets – Enhancing Safety of Road Users”, the first ever Technical Exhibition cum buyer seller meet where the cutting edge technologies/equipments etc. are being displayed in 120 stalls and the 10th Meeting of Indo French Working Group on road sector.

During the Session, the important technical policy and administrative matters relating to Roads and Road Transport in the country will be discussed. Central and State Govts give very high weightage to the recommendations of the IRC Council, since, it is collective opinion of the experts in the field on various aspects of roads and road transport after discussing various issues threadbare. The Council examines draft standards and design codes on various aspects of Roads for being issued as standards of the IRC for use by the Highway Engineers of the country.

The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) was set up by the then Government of India in consultation with the State Governments in November 1934. It is the premier body of Highway Engineers in India. The principal objectives of the IRC are to provide a national forum for regular pooling of experience and ideas on all matters concerned with the design, planning, construction, operation and maintenance of highways, to recommend standard specifications and to provide a platform for the expression of professional opinion on matters relating to roads and road transport including those of organization and administration. The Indian Roads Congress holds Annual Session and a mid term council meeting every year on the invitation of State Governments.