Eminent infrastructure and road safety experts from around the world participated in the two-day Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo (GRIS), emphasizing the need for innovative solutions, best practices, and policies to transform India’s road network for the future.
“Despite significant advancements in the road infrastructure sector, the country remains at a critical juncture concerning safety, sustainability, and innovation. It is imperative that we reaffirm our commitment to building roads that are safe, efficient, and sustainable.
The ‘Road to Vision Zero’ aims to achieve both Carbon Zero and Fatality Zero,” said Mr. K.K. Kapila, President Emeritus of the International Road Federation (IRF), a global road safety organization dedicated to improving road infrastructure and safety worldwide.
“Every year, over 1.7 lakh lives are lost on Indian roads, a crisis that demands urgent intervention. While global road fatalities have declined by 5%, India has seen a 10% rise, underscoring the need for technology-driven, policy-backed, and infrastructure-led interventions.” Said Mr Kapila.
As India progresses towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, infrastructure plays a pivotal role in enabling economic growth, connectivity, and road safety. Despite major advancements, road congestion, safety concerns, climate resilience, and technological integration remain key challenges.
For smart & sustainable infrastructure development green highways & resilient road designs are needed with help of climate-adaptive materials and low-carbon technologies. Circular economy principles including Promoting Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse in road construction for sustainability.
Technology-Driven Road Infrastructure
- Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS): Enhancing efficiency through AI-based traffic management, IoT-enabled road monitoring, and digital twin technology.
- Sustainable Mobility: Integration of EV-ready corridors and charging infrastructure to support the transition to cleaner transportation.
Ensuring Safety Infrastructure
- Advanced Enforcement & Smart Roads: Implementation of automated enforcement systems, smart road markings, and connected vehicle technology.
- Driver Safety & Behavioral Monitoring: Utilizing Safe Driving Scores (SDS) and data-driven insights to promote safer driving practices.
Strengthening Collaboration for a Sustainable Road Ecosystem
India must foster stronger partnerships between policymakers, industry leaders, and academia to develop a sustainable and safe road network. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and policy incentives should be leveraged to drive large-scale infrastructure modernization. Future road planning must be guided by global best practices, emerging technologies, and data-driven insights.
The two-day summit, organized by the India chapter of the International Road Federation (IRF), was inaugurated by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari. The event brought together around 300 eminent road infrastructure experts.
