Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Indian Roads Congress session at Srinagar Union Minister for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari has stressed upon the need to maintain a balance between development and ecology and environment. He said this while inaugurating the 206th Council Meeting of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) at the Sher-I-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar today. J&K State Minister for Public Works, Floriculture and Gardens and Parks Shri Syed Altaf Bukhari and Minister of State for Public Works Shri Sunil Sharma were also present at the inaugural function. The minister highlighted and appreciated the role played by IRC in the development of roads and highways in India, and stressed upon the need to implement research findings at the ground level. He also talked about the importance of introducing green and clean technologies in order to minimise adverse effects on ecology and environment as a result of development. Shri Nitin Gadkari said that a positive and development oriented approach is necessary to achieve the goal of fast paced development in the country. He said that progress is not possible unless the values of a positive work culture are imbibed by one and all. He stressed upon all stakeholders to promote innovation and local expertise to meet challenges, and also put up a strong case for appreciation of efforts of those who perform well. He said that such instances will prove as an inspiration for others and will motivate them to put in their best. Shri Syed Altaf Bukhari, while addressing the gathering, highlighted the importance of communication networks for socio-economic development and thanked IRC for choosing Srinagar as the venue for the meeting. He said that IRC is rendering a great service to the nation and the state of Jammu and Kashmir is in need of its guidance and advice to make advances in public infrastructure. Shri Rohit Kansal, Secretary and Commissioner, Public Works Department, Government of J&K, expressed hope that the participants of this meeting will prove as brand ambassadors for the state and holding of such events will help bring tourists back to the state after last year's devastating floods. He thanked IRC whole heartedly for providing opportunity to play host, and expressed confidence that Kashmiri hospitality will win the hearts and minds of the participants. Earlier in the session, President IRC Dr. Mahesh Kumar threw light on the mandate of IRC and gave a presentation on how the organisation has evolved since its inception. IRC is a premier institution associated with research, development and documentation of latest trends in the field of road transport and highways. It has over 16,700 registered members from all over the country. Around 100 delegates from across the country are taking part in the two day event. Shri Nitin Gadkari also released 14 IRC documents and Codes of Practice on the occasion.
