Fill demand-supply gap in housing with low-cost tech: Vardhan

Union Minister Harsh Vardhan has asked scientists to come up with low-cost technologies to fill the demand-supply gap in the housing sector to meet the Government's target of having a roof for everyone by 2022.

Speaking at the CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), a Laboratory of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) last evening, the Minister of Science and Technology said, "More than ever before we need low-cost technologies for rapidly filling up the demand-supply deficit."

"For the first time a prime minister has set a deadline for providing every family a roof over its head. Construction technologies, high-science products and specialised services developed by SERC would form an essential component for the prime minister's (Narendra Modi) project. I urge the community of scientists here to ensure affordability as well as safety."

Recalling the many laurels earned by CSIR-SERC over the past 50 years, Vardhan lauded its role in the 2007 achievement of re-engineering the navigational pan of the Pamban Railway Bridge over the Palk Strait which connects Rameshwaram to mainland India.

He emphasised that scientists should not be satisfied with past achievements but constantly try to think out-of-the-box.

Their goal should be to pursue new research areas which could meet the country's needs as well as put the nation ahead in select technology domains related to the activities of the institute, he said.

"The prime minister has given a call for 'Make in India'. We need to generate millions of jobs within a couple of years because this country has a youth bulge. Seamless partnership will help develop products and technologies for the benefit of the common man," he said.

He added that at the same time, the entrepreneurs should focus on using renewable and green materials or Indian-origin, materials including, based on nano-technology, which have minimum carbon footprint as well which are low-cost and sustainable.