IIT(BHU) and G R Infraproject Limited (GRIL) signed a MoU
Varanasi: The Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) and G R Infraprojects Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday through online mode for establishment of Road Research Laboratory based on necessity of research in the thrust area and the dissemination of findings through scholarly publications, white papers and in the media.
The MoU was signed by the Director of the Institute Prof. Pramod Kumar Jain and Vinod Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, GRIL. The union minister for Road, Transport & Highways & MSME, Nitin Gadkari, UP deputy chief minister and minister for Public Works Departments Keshav Prasad Maurtya and additional chief secretary Awanish Awasthi attended the MoU signing ceremony.
Gadkari congratulated IIT BHU and GRIL on this achievement. He said that without compromising with the quality, the condition of roads should be improved. It is a matter of great pride to have a private sector like GRIL and IIT working together on this subject. New research will make this possible. The use of solid waste material in road construction is a very important step. He called upon the IIT researchers that research is necessary to reduce the use of steel and cement in the construction of roads and bridges. Speaking on the occasion, Maurya said that this MoU will be very effective for enhancing the quality of road construction and reducing the expenses.
The IIT-BHU director Prof. Jain said that this MoU will be applicable for a period of five years. The academicians of the institute and other experts of the country will undertake studies related to road safety, environmental and social impacts under the Highway Safety Development Project. The main objective of this MoU will be research towards construction of sustainable and eco-friendly roads in the country. In this, research on recycling of bituminous (asphalt) mix, mechanistic pavement design for Indian roads and making pavement from solid waste materials, development of performance-based mix design for bituminous mix will be the major goals. He said that assistant professor of Civil Engineering Dr Nikhil Saboo has played an important role in bringing this project to the institute.
The program was conducted by Dr. Ankit Gupta, Associate Professor of the Institute. On this occasion, Prof. Rajeev Prakash, Dean, Research & Development, Professor SB Dwivedi, Dean, Academic Affairs, IIT’s distinguished alumnus Shri Amit Bhasin, Shri RK Pandey, Member Project, NHAI, Shri Manoj Kumar Member Project NHAI, Shri SK Nirmal, General Secretary, Indian Road Congress etc. dignitaries were also present.
