Akhilesh Srivastava spoke about Transforming the Transportation Network using GIS at the conference organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology on Geospatial Policy for Nation Development.

 

It was a pleasure to discuss “Transforming Transportation Networks with a Geospatial Strategy” with the panel of experts at a Conference organized by the Ministry of Science &Technology on “Geospatial Policy or National Development on 21st – 22nd February 2023.

Geospatial Strategy can help Transportation Sector on both the “Supply-side,” i.e., Developing Infrastructure Network, and the User-side, i.e., Mobility. 

The focus points on Infra side are

•          Speed and capacity

•          Frequencies and time

•          Cost

 

GIS combined with 3D, 5G Networks, IoT, and IPv6 protocols can be a game changer by integrating Surveying, Planning, Designing, construction, and Asset Management.

On User-side, i.e., Mobility, this will be useful for drivers in finding the most optimal and cost-effective routes but more useful for Business development around logistics and other Industries.

 5 themes will determine the future of mobility –

•          Multi-modal

•          Shared

•          Autonomous

•          Connected

•          Electrified or Green Fuel

 

Precision in data and technology will be a key determinant of the future of transportation technology. It can effectively transform a vehicle into a thinking and self-operating IoT device.

Location Intelligence (LI), a part of AI, collects and analyzes geospatial data from different sources.

The strategic insights from this data help solve various business challenges for the transportation industry.

This is done by providing access to spatial data, trends, patterns, and relationships between vehicles and infrastructure.

GIS should be a means to an end, which is to shape global businesses and make citizens' life easy by adding critical context to the decision-making process.

Gone are the days when a team would be sent “on the ground” to investigate a business opportunity. Geospatial data can do all this while providing rich insights that help decision-making.

Companies all over the world are utilizing geospatial data in diverse ways.

But the conventional B2G system will not work, and natural inefficiency will creep into it, making it useless like the Smart City Initiative.

If we want this policy to be successful, the democratization of Data and easy availability of data should be a primary part so that a B2C ecosystem develops around it.

Our young generation is smart and can use the data better than policymakers think!

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/akhilesh-srivastava-spoke-about-transforming-the-transportation-network-using-gis-at-the-conference-11602f65ce6a

India's Economy stands to gain significantly from Highway Construction

 

India has been making significant progress in road construction, and the impact of this growth has been felt throughout the country's Economy. The Government of India has taken various measures to improve India's road network, including the development of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The NHAI is responsible for constructing and maintaining all National Highways in the country. It is estimated that the NHAI maintains around 80 per cent of the total road network in the country. The central government has also taken up several other initiatives to boost road infrastructure in the country. Some of these include the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which provides road connectivity to rural areas, and the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), which aims to improve the quality of the existing highways. The construction of new highways and the upgradation of existing roads have led to a significant increase in the country's economic growth. It has helped develop new industries, improved the logistics of goods and services, and created more employment opportunities in the country.

The construction of new highways has also positively impacted the tourism industry. Improved highways have made it easier for visitors to travel to different parts of the country, thus boosting tourism. The improvement in India's road infrastructure has also played a significant role in reducing the cost of transportation. Improved roads have reduced the number of accidents, thus leading to fewer losses for transportation companies. The construction of new highways has also positively affected the environment. The use of modern technologies like flyovers, tunnels and bridges has reduced the amount of air pollution generated by vehicles. This has improved the air quality in urban areas and made breathing easier for people. In conclusion, India's highway construction has had a significant stake in the country's Economy. The various measures taken by the government to improve the road infrastructure have positively impacted the country's economic growth, the tourism industry, the transportation sector, and the environment.

 

Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava, global technology leader, has successfully overseen numerous e-governance initiatives, including the FASTag (India's electronic toll collection system), the e-Tendering platform (a central public procurement portal used by almost all central, state, and PSUs for bidding), the e-Measuring Book (for transparent measurement of the project under execution), the citizen-centric Sukhad Yatra mobile app for highway information, the Geo-Fencing.

Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava's digital construction management led to the Road Safety 2.0 programme in India. With a technology-driven strategy to build a human-centric road ecosystem where technology makes up for human limitations to increase road safety, Road Safety 2.0 is shaping the Future of Road Safety in India. To successfully enhance their processes, stakeholders must be informed about the benefits of using content-enabled, networked, and constructible workflow. One such deployment was the NHAI Data Lake, where all stakeholders were lined up on a single platform with GIS capabilities. Data Lake proved to be a blessing for NHAI, despite the COVID pandemic's effects; NHAI shattered building records and established other world records. It aided data-driven decision-making and the real-time monitoring of problems, requests for approval, and payments. This led to quicker choices, fewer conflicts, and quicker ground advance.

 

Every step of highway development entails different degrees of complexity. Problems with interdepartmental coordination, contractor underperformance, equipment failure, skilled labour, and idle time characterise the construction phase. As a result, highway projects are vulnerable to execution risks and significant cost overruns because of the significant investment required, the complicated designs, and the long-lasting effects on future infra assets. The government can use geospatial technology, such as GIS and digital maps, to manage and monitor road infrastructure. Several geospatial technologies have previously been used in Indian highway building, but obstacles still stand in the way of a more seamless adoption at all levels.

 

Conclusions 

 

There are several levels of difficulty involved in each stage of highway construction. Interdepartmental coordination issues, poor contractor performance, equipment failure, skilled labour, and idle time are prevalent throughout the building phase. Due to the substantial investment needed, the intricate designs, and the long-term implications on future infra assets, highway projects are susceptible to execution risks and considerable cost overruns. The government may manage and keep an eye on road infrastructure using geospatial technologies, such as GIS and digital maps. Although some geospatial technologies have been employed in the construction of Indian highways in the past, barriers still prevent a more seamless adoption at all levels.

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/indias-economy-stands-to-gain-significantly-from-highway-construction-80665e81f85c

 

Road Safety 2023: Raising Road Safety Awareness in India's Young Population

 

In today’s world, transportation and the road have become integral parts of our lives. They have minimised the distance but increased the risk of death. Road traffic accidents have risen to the top ten causes of death worldwide. Every year, road accidents result in the loss of lakhs of lives and serious injuries to crores of people in India. According to the Ministry of Road Safety, Transport, and Highways, eighty thousand people are killed in road crashes every year in India, which is 13% of total road fatalities all over the world. Almost 80% of the people who die in these accidents are in the age group of 18–35, which is the young population of India. Raising road safety awareness in the young population helps them to understand the causes of road deaths, develop rational driving skills, and render road safety awareness.

                                     

Major Reasons for Road Fatalities in India

Daily road accidents have become the major cause of death in India. Road fatalities can be caused by several factors, including:

Speeding: Over speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic injuries and deaths; in India, 75% of road accidents take place due to over speeding.

Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or psychoactive substances increases the risk of road fatalities and accidents that result in serious injuries or death.

Non-use of Seat Belts and Motorcycle Helmets: People demonstrate carelessness while driving by failing to wear seat belts and motorcycle helmets.

Reckless Driving: A lot of youth engage in dangerous driving behaviours while driving, such as running a red light, tailgating, and making sudden lane changes that result in road accidents.

Distracted Driving: Distraction by mobile phones is one of the growing reasons that lead to impaired driving.  Eating or talking with others, are a few other reasons for distracted driving that cause serious road accidents.

Unsafe Road Infrastructure: The designs of roads have a considerable impact on road safety. Poor design of roads, inadequate lighting, and a lack of proper signage contribute a lot to road fatalities.

Unsafe Vehicles: Safe vehicles play an important role in reducing the likelihood of serious injuries and averting crashes. Mechanical problems with vehicles, such as tire blowouts and brake failures, can cause road fatalities.

Importance of Road Safety Awareness in Youth People

Young people are more likely to engage in risky behaviour while driving that increases the chances of involving in road accidents. Awareness about road safety in young population is important because they are at a crucial stage of their physical and mental development. Road accidents Road safety awareness in young people helps them to develop responsible and safe behaviour while driving, reduces the number of accidents and save lives. Creating a culture of road safety among young population delivers a ripple effect and inspire a wide range of community to adopt road safety behaviour. 

Our Efforts to Promote Driving Skills and Road Safety Awareness in Youth Population

Akhilesh Srivastava, a well-known technology leader, an eloquent speaker, and a bestselling author, is committed to reducing road fatalities in India by 50% by 2025. Recently, he started a road safety course in Pune to educate the youth population about road safety and promote safe driving skills.

A Driving Skills and Road Safety Awareness Course in India is such an innovative way to create road safety awareness in India. Any student can enroll in the course, which was started by the G. H. Raisoni College of Engineering and Management, Pune, in association with the Pune RTO and Driving Schools' Association.

In this course, students will learn about safe roads and roadsides, safe speeds, safe vehicles, and safe road users to eliminate road fatalities. They will learn to use GPS tracking along with analytical data applications like the HUMSAFER mobile app, telematics, and other latest technologies that people have to adopt to make the Indian transport system safer.

Conclusion

Road fatalities can be reduced in India by educating young people about safe driving practices and the dangers of reckless behaviour on the roads. Road safety awareness can help instill good driving habits in young people, which will serve them well throughout their lives. Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava has taken a step towards making Indian youths well aware about road safety and safe driving skills for the first time in India. He believes that because young people understand the importance of road safety, they are more likely to promote these values within their communities, leading to safer roads for everyone.

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/road-safety-2023-raising-road-safety-awareness-in-indias-young-population-4fcfad8d542b

 

 

Congratulations to Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava on becoming Chairman of the Bitumen India Forum.

 

“American roads are not good because America is rich, but America is rich because American roads are good," US President John F Kennedy once said.

How true it is getting for India!

The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), a London-based consultancy, predicted that India will be a USD 10 trillion economy by 2035 and the third-largest economic power by 2030. However, many expect it may be achieved earlier due to a likely higher growth rate than the study indicated. One of the reasons for this outstanding growth is the phenomenal growth in Infrastructure, especially Roads & highways.  

Mr Akhilesh Srivastava, Ex-NHAI and Road Safety Ambassador of the International Road Federation(IC), WEF and many international/national organisations, have been appointed as the Chairman of the Bitumen Indian Forum by the members. Mr Akhilesh Srivastava is a globally known digital technology leader with vast experience in successfully implementing many e-Governance programs in India, including FASTag. His recently launched technology-based next-gen Road Safety 2.0 initiative, which encourages the adoption of technology in road safety to compensate for human and engineering limitations, is a highly successful model in India.

Thanking everyone for trusting him with the coveted responsibility, Mr Akhilesh Srivastava said that Bitumen remains a primary material frequently used in road construction due to its excellent qualities and benefits over other materials. The annual consumption of Bitumen in India is approximately 8 MT (million tons), which should increase as India has the world’s 2^nd largest road network after the USA. Still, its Bitumen consumption is relatively low compared to other countries. The current annual consumption of Bitumen in India is approximately 8 MT, which has the potential to double by 2030.

Bitumen, a by-product of crude oil, is known for its adhesive and waterproofing abilities. More than 250 uses exist for this substance today, including paving roads, roofing, waterproofing, sealing, and insulating. In addition, it enables the design and engineering of asphalt-based streets, runways, motorways, highways, coastal protection, canal linings, driveways, airport, reservoirs, footpaths, cycle paths, parking areas, and sports and sports play areas.

The infrastructure development programs initiated by the Government of India, such as the Bharatmala project, Golden quadrangle project, construction of various industrial and economic corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor, Chennai-Bengaluru Economic Corridor, Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor, and Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor for the construction of highways and express ways drive the demand for Bitumen to unprecedented levels. In addition, the Government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,which includes the provision of good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages of the country are driving market growth further.

Moreover, bitumen is widely used to waterproof the roof of the building. Therefore, government initiatives such as the “Smart City Mission” and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), including building houses in urban and rural areas, boost the Bitumen market growth. The significant development in the Indian construction industry and industrial development across the country will drive the growth of the bitumen industry in the coming years.

According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the Indian Bitumen market is projected to cross Rs 50,000 Crores by 2026 and add allied services such as transportation, storage, testing and quality checks etc., the market size of Bitumen will be much more significant.

However, growing health & environmental concerns over the production and usage of bitumen, human health & environmental issues associated with bitumen, unsettled crude oil prices, and a rise in the use of an alternative for bitumen are expected to restrain the growth of the market too. Moreover, the development of bio-based bitumen and EME (Enrobés á Module Elevé) binder is expected to provide growth opportunities for the Indian bitumen market in the near future.

While talking to the correspondents, Mr Akhilesh Srivastava said that his primary focus would be ensuring the availability of the best quality Bitumen for infra development. For this, he would work with Manufacturers, Oil PSUs, Customers, Importers, Traders, Transporters, Road Developers, Government and Regulatory bodies and other stakeholders in the ecosystem to develop the best practices and a cohesive environment.

His other priorities will include enhancing the reputation & awareness of the Bitumen Industry, identifying the problems of the Industry and bringing them to the knowledge of people who can solve them.

He said the Forum would serve as a facilitator for Innovations in the Bitumen Industry, bringing the best global technologies and practices to India and vice-versa. The Forum should be a knowledge-sharing platform for any Bitumen-related topics, research & innovations and update the industry with upcoming trends. He expressed his concern for the environment andsaid he would encourage innovation in Green Bitumen.

Being a reputed Road Safety leader, Mr Akhilesh Srivastava said he would focus on improving the safety of Bitumen Industry workers by training and skilling them with the best industry practices.

Soure link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/congratulations-to-mr-akhilesh-srivastava-on-becoming-chairman-of-the-bitumen-india-forum-90639cbfffc2

Utilising the Potential of India's Web-3 Ecosystem to Unlock New Opportunities

 

India is one of the world's most dynamic and fastest-growing markets, and the country's Web-3 ecosystem is no exception. With the country's rapidly expanding digital population, and the increasing adoption of blockchain-based technologies, Web-3 is becoming an increasingly important part of the Indian economy. Web-3 is an umbrella term that describes a range of decentralised technologies, such as blockchain, distributed ledgers, and smart contracts. These technologies create new, more efficient, and secure ways of doing business. In India, Web-3 has been embraced by the public and private sectors, with several government initiatives launched to drive adoption and development. For example, the Indian government has established the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to oversee the country's Web-3 ecosystem. Through MeitY, the government is helping to develop the infrastructure needed for Web-3 technologies, investing in research and development and creating regulatory frameworks.

The government is also providing incentives to businesses and startups to encourage the adoption of Web-3 technologies. The Indian web-3 ecosystem is built on a decentralised, distributed and immutable ledger technology, which makes it more resilient against cyber-attacks and data breaches. The private sector has also been investing heavily in the Web-3 ecosystem. Several Indian startups have launched blockchain-based solutions to improve the efficiency of processes such as payments, supply chain management, and digital identity management. These startups are also driving innovation in the Web-3 space, with new applications and services being developed. The growth of the Indian Web-3 ecosystem has been further spurred by the country's large and rapidly growing digital population. With more than 500 million internet users, India is the world's second-largest internet market. This means an increasingly large and technologically advanced user base for Web-3 technologies. The increasing adoption of blockchain-based technologies is also driving the Indian Web-3 ecosystem by large corporations. Companies such as Reliance, Tata, and Wipro are investing in blockchain-based solutions, and the central bank of India has launched a blockchain platform for interbank payments. Overall, the Indian Web-3 ecosystem is one of the fastest-growing worldwide. With the government's support and investment, the private sector's innovation, and the country's large and technologically advanced user base, Web-3 is set to become increasingly important in the Indian economy.

 

Akhilesh Srivastava Global Technology Leader, has successfully led numerous e-governance projects, including the FASTag (India's electronic toll collection system), the e-Tendering platform (the Central Public Procurement Portal used by almost all central, state, and PSUs for bidding), the e-Measuring Book (for transparent measurement of the project under execution), the citizen-centric highway information mobile app Sukhad Yatra, the Geo-Fencing in India. In addition, the Road Safety 2.0 programme of the World Economic Forum is now being led by Mr Akhilesh Srivastava. With a technology-driven strategy to build a human-centric road ecosystem where technology makes up for human limitations to increase road safety, Road Safety 2.0 is "Shaping the Future of Road Safety in India."

 

The Web-3 Ecosystem in India is one of the most rapidly expanding in the world. Between 2014 and Q3-2022, Indian Web-3 startups raised around $1.5 billion in funding. When we consider technology and how it has evolved, Web-3 is already dominating. I believe there will be a significant change in how financial data is collected, handled, and reported. Metaverse Banking elevates Net Banking by providing clients with a more individualised user experience and data visualisation. Several of the big banks have already begun making investments in this field. Recently, the Union Bank of India announced the opening of the Metaverse Virtual Lounge to give its clients a distinctive banking experience.

 

 

Customers can explore the lounge and get information on bank savings, loans, government assistance programmes, and digital initiatives like real-world experience, thanks to Metaverse. One essential use case for banking is the capability to virtually visit a bank. Machine learning can help us make the accounting process better. As a result, the creation of useful information for making decisions will be considerably more machine-driven. GST and income tax return fraud may be found using AI and ML. Records and certificates may be secured using blockchain technology. The handling of financial information will undergo significant change due to the implementation of Web-3.

 

Conclusions

 

Web-3 Ecosystem technologies are being developed more effectively and doing business practices. India's public and business sectors have adopted Web-3, and the government has sponsored several measures to encourage adoption and growth. Building a human-centric road ecosystem where technology compensates for human limitations to improve road safety is the goal of this technology-driven strategy. The government also incentivises startups and small enterprises to promote Web-3 technology.

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/utilising-the-potential-of-indias-web-3-ecosystem-to-unlock-new-opportunities-1b8a94698f56

 

Akhilesh Srivastava's innovative ideas for installing AI technology in the Business world

Future appears now linked withthe word artificial intelligence. The mimicking of human-like intellectual processes by machines, particularly computer systems, is known as artificial intelligence. AI systems typically operate by gathering an enormous amount of labelled training data. The outcome is then predicted using the data's correlations and patterns, which are evaluated afterwards. Sub-domains of AI include machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing, computer vision, and cognitive computing. Different uses of these sub-domains are made depending on the circumstances. While humanoid robots taking over the world is how science fiction books and Hollywood films depict AI, the current progress of AI technology, called Narrow AI, is neither terrifying nor particularly intelligent. Instead, AI has evolved to provide various technical advantages across all industries.

 

For instance, AI performs repetitive activities and professions requiring attention to detail much better than human labour. Thanks to it, large data jobs take much less time to complete, and the results are reliable. The efficiency of AI has already increased in every industry in which it has been used, demonstrating its value. In the case of this highly digitalised system, there is no going back.In all industries, AI has left its imprint. The same applies to business. There are innumerable commercial uses for AI. We'll see how AI will affect business intelligence in the future. Data has been the foundation of contemporary business for many years. Businessmen and entrepreneurs have used it to guide their judgments. AI-powered robots or software agents are going through a similar change in several sectors. 

 

Akhilesh Srivastava is aglobally reputed Digital and Innovative Technology leader. He is the IT advisor to the government of Uttrakhand and the former chief general manager (commercial operations & IT) of NHAI.

 

As an IT advisor,he implements AI technologies to improve administrative efficiency and promptly deliver citizen services. When fully operational, the Big Data Platform Uttarakhand Data Lake will transform the state government administration to the next generation.  It will not only improve transparency and reduce the time taken in decision-making but will also support the administrators in policymaking and taking decisions based on real-time data analytics and simulation of data by the Uttarakhand Data Lake AI engine. It will improve the public delivery system and citizen services efficiently beyond comprehension. Uttarakhand is the first state in the country which is implementing so many web-3 applications simultaneously.

 

Covid-19 vaccine development was accelerated using AI; instead of taking years, the first batch of vaccines was tested three months after the virus was identified. Automation in contact centres, factories, and warehouses all employ AI. Additionally, it allowed them to understand their clientele fully. The human brain cannot digest all of the info; hence there is a cost associated with it. Artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in business intelligence decision-making are helpful in this situation. 

 

As a digital and innovative technology leader, Akhilesh Srivastava has talked at several conferences on AI technology over the last few months, each of which was eye-opening in its way and highly energising in terms of new technology and AI. He spoke extensively on using AI in new areas in global enterprises.

 

Akhilesh Srivastava discusses creating new business practices by building new technologies and AI. Akhilesh Srivastava is a digital and innovative technology leader currently leading Road Safety 2.0 initiative. Road Safety 2.0 is shaping the future of Road Safety in India with AI technology-driven approach to create a human-centric road ecosystem where AI technology compensates for human limitations to improve road safety. 

The field of artificial intelligence has grown over time thanks to technological breakthroughs. As a result, three recognised levels of AI can now be encountered.

 

• Assisted intelligence, which emphasises automating routine activities. Such as the equipment used in assembly lines.
• Augmented intelligence: Symmetry is a byproduct of augmented intelligence. It involves both parties. The goal is to teach robots from human input. Humans, in turn, rely on the wisdom of their decisions on knowledge.
• Automation intelligence: Simply put, this refers to machines' automation of the entire process, cutting humans from the equation. Taking self-driving automobiles and autonomous robotics as examples.

 

It is crucial to discuss deep learning. Inventors and scientists in recent years widely used artificial intelligence. Technology has finally caught up with the advent of faster and more powerful GPUs. In 2015, industry analysts noticed a revival when speedy and strong parallel computing became more affordable. 

 Conclusions 

AI has made its mark across all industries. Similar rules apply to business and government administration. AI will not only improve transparency and reduce the time taken in decision-making in a government organisation but will also support the administrators in policymaking and taking decisions based on real-time data analytics and simulation of data; an example is the Uttarakhand Data Lake.AI has countless business applications. In the future, we'll witness how AI will impact business intelligence. For many years, data has been the cornerstone of modern business. Entrepreneurs and businessmen have utilised it to inform their decisions. Similar changes are occurring across other industries regarding software or robot agents driven by AI. It is essential to talk about deep learning. Up until recently, scientists and innovators have yet to employ artificial intelligence. Akhilesh Srivastava discusses creating new business practices by building new technologies and AI. The development of faster and more powerful GPUs/IPUs has allowed technology to catch up. 

source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/akhilesh-srivastavas-innovative-ideas-for-installing-ai-technology-in-the-business-world-204fff315c5c

Advancing Road Construction & Safety 2.0: Mr. Akhilesh Srivastava Led a Global Conference in 2022

 

India is building highways more quickly than ever. By setting a goal of building 100 km of roads each day over the next two years and taking actions to put road safety measures into place, the Government of India has given the highest priority to safe and sustainable infrastructure development with scale and speed.

 

The conference's goal was to identify and encourage new technologies that will hasten social and economic growth under the theme "Building Sustainable Infrastructure with New Age Technologies and Road Safety 2.0." At the Global Road Building & Safety Conference 2022 (GRC - 2022), which took place on November 30, the Taj Palace in New Delhi, Delhi, experienced the warmth of engaging discussions on breakthrough technologies that can alter the future of road safety, road construction, and financing in India and globally too.

As Chairman of the organising committee, Shri  Akhilesh Srivastava, a Global Technology leader, emphasised that modern technology is essential to enhancing road safety. The fact that fatalities on roads increased by 16% in 2021 compared to 2020 is evidence that the traditional approaches to road safety are not working as intended. This is true despite all efforts by MoRTH's and NHAI. With the use of AI, Telematics, and Data Analysis, the session discussed safety precautions. In addition to the sophisticated traffic management system on the highways for improved enforcement, Mr Akhilesh emphasises that we need technology to help drivers to keep them alert and make them safer. Similarly we need technology in vehicles like ADAS to make it intelligent to avoid collisions and accidents.

Sustainable Infrastructure & Building Green with Road Safety 2.0 and New Age Technologies was the conference's theme, which CRRI organized with assistance from Ease of Doing Business (EODB). As the chairman of the organizing committee for the "Road Construction & Safety Conference (GRC - 2022)," he started fascinating discussions on cutting-edge technology in the construction sector through a rare convergence of government, Business, and academia. As a result, how roads are built, financed, and safely maintained in India may be redefined.

More than 50 speakers from Government, IITs, Industry and Experts from various organisations participated in the GRC-2022 conference, which was spread over 11 sessions of talks and presentations over a long day without a tea or coffee break and a jam-packed agenda up till 9 PM. Over 400 participants from India and beyond attended the conference, including representatives from the equipment business, IoT experts, and drone operators. More than ten senior government officials from Niti Aayog, CPWD, MoRTH, NHAI, CRRI, RITES, and IRCON were among the speakers. There were also more than 20 speakers from leading companies in the industry, including Ashoka Buildcon, L&T, 3M, G R Infraprojects Ltd, Cube Highways, OSE, Keltron, Park+, Humasafer App, BITCOL, HP, Indian Oil, and more.

These five main themes were the subject of the stimulating discussions:

1. Innovative technologies for building roads that reduce costs and save time.

2. New environmentally friendly and sustainable building materials with the least amount of carbon emissions.

3. Modern technology for reducing traffic deaths.

4. New financial developments in the transportation sector, and

5. A step toward achieving Net Zero in road construction and lowering carbon emissions.

The budgetary allotment has grown from INR 33,414 crores (Financial Year 2015) to INR 1 83,101 crores (Financial Year 2022). But to create and maintain better and safer roads, we must develop new financial strategies since we can only rely on government assistance for a while. The government initiatives for new finance models through InvIT, TOT (Toll Operate & Transfer), and SPVs were highlighted by Mr Sajany Varma, General Manager (Fin) NHAI. The speaker emphasised that InvITs would soon be listed on the stock market so that retail investors could trade units, giving the average person a chance to invest in infrastructure projects.

Mr Akhilesh Srivastava launched an innovative "School Zone Road Safety Portal" created by IRF in partnership with 3M and Proactive Foundation. The portal is going to be a real game changer to road safety around schools In India. One out of every ten RTI-related fatalities of children between 0 and 14 occurred. Only 17% of schools had speed limits posted on the road, and only 11.5% had school zone signage. How safe are our schools if kids are the most susceptible to road accidents near schools? The portal will record and highlight the discrepancy between road safety features required per the IRC and the road safety features available in the school by displaying it on a single dashboard. This will allow everyone to see the road safety vulnerability near the schools where their children are studying and to exert pressure on schools and the administrative and engineering authorities to make school zones safer for the children and address the shortcomings.

The portal's primary characteristics will be:

1. Schools are ranked according to ratings determined based on the presence of road safety features in the vicinity of the schools and presented on the IRF website.

2. Parents and residents can view information about school traffic safety.

3. For schools, road safety auditors, and engineering authorities & district administration, there are unique role-based login options.

4. Road safety features are scored and submitted quickly, making it simple for regular people to grasp.

5. If any action is not taken promptly, an escalation matrix will be used to scale the issues with the relevant top administrative authorities.

 

Dr Ambika Behl, who presided over the most critical session on How to minimise carbon emission in building a road- a step towards Net Zero emission in road construction, emphasised the necessity of using greener building materials and methods. However, because of the more significant expenses, Ms Atasi Das, Asst. The Vice President of G R Infra project Ltd. emphasised the industry's reservations about using these technologies. However, she emphasised that projects should be encouraged to adopt these by providing enough incentives and subsidies. In response, Senior Environmental Specialist of World Bank, Ms Neha Vyas, described the numerous programmes encouraging eco-friendly products and technology.

Conclusions

Shri Akhilesh Srivastava announced that the GRC-2022's crucial recommendations would be forwarded to the Ease of Doing Business for consideration by various Ministries to obtain policies that could help the construction industry and that the IITs and academia would be given the industry's needs to carry out research that is in line with the needs of the sector to realise the Prime Minister of Atma-Nirbhar Bharat's vision. But to create and maintain better and safer roads, we must develop new financial strategies too.

Source link: https://medium.com/@akhlisheshsrivastva/advancing-road-construction-safety-2-0-mr-akhilesh-srivastava-led-a-global-conference-in-2022-3d8280ccec6b