Nitin Gadkari Urges Scientists to Prioritize Agriculture-Oriented Research

Gadkari was the Principal Guest at a conference on Women In Science And Entrepreneurship- WISE-2023, hosted by the Indian Women Scientist Association's Nagpur Branch at the National Environment Engineering Research Institute's (NEERI) auditorium in Nagpur. Several luminaries attended the event, including NEERI Director Dr. Atul Vaidya and Retired Dean of Nagpur Medical College Dr. Vibhavari Dani.

He claims that the research is useless in the absence of established technology, raw material availability, economic viability, and marketing capacity. He emphasized the importance of conducting research on Nagpur's available resources, such as fly ash, Nag river water, rubbish, and solid waste.

Gadkari stated that Punjab and Haryana in northern India produce bio-bitumin in addition to rice and wheat, and that agriculture is being diversified in terms of power and electricity. He proposed growing bamboo in a wasteland near Vekoli and other public sector firms in Nagpur to create Bio-Bitumin. He claims that burning bamboo instead of coal will minimize pollution and rescue the environment.

He further stated that waste material from Butibori MIDC's readymade garment units is used to manufacture durable and elegant carpets at Pachgaon in Umred, and that 1200 women are being trained. He emphasized that by adding value to this type of raw material and using beautiful design and packaging, it is possible to market it in the worldwide market.

Gadkari stated that construction costs could be reduced by using technology and informed that it is possible to build the bridge for Rs. 1000 crores instead of Rs. 1600 crores by using Malaysian technology and reducing the distance between two pillars of the flypast and casting the beam in steel fibre, as was done in the Indora to Dighori bridge, whose stone laying ceremony was recently held. On this occasion, he expressly mentioned the savings of Rs. 600 crores.

On the occasion of Women in Science and Entrepreneurship- WISE-2023, he also urged the office bearers of the Indian Women Scientist Association to seize new chances in research and contribute to social and economic transformation. On hand were members of the Indian Women Scientist Association, as well as scientists and students from NEERI.