Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways VK Singh said that the Indian road infrastructure and road construction industry, including the equipment and materials, are the biggest ingredient in spurring the economy.

Signh also urged the industry to come up with innovations which the government will support even at the policy level.

Addressing the valedictory session at 'BITU-CON 2020',  Singh said that by constructing more roads not only we can ensure improvement in the connectivity but also bring down the travel time and freight cost.

"This sector has a lot of potential and is profitable also. Things are improving in the economy although  it may take some time for complete recovery. The more we construct the better it is going to be for the economy,"  he added. 

He also urged the industry to use more innovative solutions to ensure the construction cost is reduced.

"We have enough expertise, innovative spirit, know-how to make things better and this sector needs it. Indians have a great ability for innovation, but we are somehow not coming out with it. Innovation and experimentation should be encouraged in the industry to bring down the cost," said Singh.

Cost-cutting, he said should be looked in two ways, one on the immediate cost cutting and other on life-time cost cutting. 

"We should focus on lifetime cost cutting rather than immediate cost cutting. There is a great scope available. It ensures less road maintenance, and wear and tear also come down. What we need is to utilize less thickness of cement by using other methodologies to strengthen the concrete and put a thin layer of bitumen to get better riding quality," noted  Singh.