Indian Concrete Institute (Hyd) Telangana Center had organized a one-day national conference on “Technological Advances in Concrete Pavements & Bridges” on 6 July 2019 at Hotel Best Western Ashoka, Hyderabad. It was inaugured by Hon’ble Union Minister Sri G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Home Affairs in Government of India. Guests of Honour were Dr. Mohan Kanda, former Chief Secretary and Sri N. V. S. Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited.
In his welcome address, Ad & Er. P. Srinivas Reddy, Civil Engineer & Advocate, & Chairman of ICI (Hyderabad) Telangana Center, explained the role of ICI in bringing innovations in construction, design, maintenance and rehabilitation of concrete pavements and bridges. “As concrete professionals, we can create durable infrastructure by adopting advanced products, technologies and services in service of our nation,” he said.
Welcome Address by Er. P. Srinivasa Reddy, Chairman, Indian Concrete Institute (Hyd) Telangana Center.Sri G. Kishan Reddy addressing the gathering of over 200 attendees comprised of planners, policy makers, designers, contractors, architects, project contract management, legal & financial stalwarts etc, from across India, emphasized that the attributes of speed and quality were essential for project authorities and service providers. He highlighted Modi 2.0 commitment to move economy and create jobs by creating a $5 trillion domestic market, where both rural and urban infrastructure development creation plays a vital role. The minister called upon engineers (particularly civil engineers) to be proactive in adopting new ideas and alternative solutions and thereby become a part of nation building for a New India.
Speech by Chief Guest Hon’ble Union Minister Sri G. Kishan ReddyDr. Mohan Kanda, IAS officer of the 1968 batch, and former Chief Secretary, Govt of A.P, shared his experience and expertise in policy making for critical infrastructure projects, encouraging latest technology by government and working relationship between bureaucrats and technocrats to accomplish project completion on time keeping public intertest in mind and also avoiding cost overruns.
Sri N. V. S. Reddy narrated the challenges encountered in the making of the Hyderabad Metro Rail that included a 72-km elevated corridor. While many ruled out the project as ‘impossible’ at the planning stage, but with engineers’ commitment and use of the latest technologies, the Hyderabad Metro became a reality. In his summation, he said that civil engineers should look at challenges as opportunities.
Dr Manamohan Kalgal, Past President – ICI and Prof K. Ganesh Babu, Conference Convener also addressed the gathering. A brochure titled CONCRETE DAY and ICI ULTRATECH CONCRETE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 was released by Sri G. Kishan Reddy. Er. N. Mavul Rao, Secretary, have the Vote of Thanks, and the exhibitions stalls were inaugurated.
During the Technical Session 1, Er. Binod Kumar, Principal Scientist, Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, spoke on “Concrete Pavements – Innovations for meeting industry challenges” and shared his expertise on white topping for city roads. Er. P.L. Bongirwar, Secretary (Retd), Govt of Maharastra, who has worked with MSRDC, Mumbai – Pune Expressway and as Advisor to L&T ECC, shared his experience and the successful use of white topping in the Pune City. Er. K. Padmakar, BuildValue Plus, Mumbai, spoke on “Recent Advance in Materials & Systems for Durable Infrastructure”, and stated their functionality, utility and durability as essential components. Er. Visheh Lal, Manager – Projects & Specifications, Cera- Chem, Chennai, presented interesting innovations in “Admixtures for Concrete Pavements”.
Release of ICI Concrete Excellence Awards – 2019 BrochureIn Technical Session 2, Prof. K. Ganesh Babu, IITM & Former Director, CBRI, discussed “Long Span Bridges – Advances in NDT & Rehabilitation”. Er. Manikanta Vangari, Transportation Engineer, Satyavani Porjects, shared a case study on “Grade Separated Rotary for Mixed Traffic Highways Intersection”. Er. Diptish Satpathy, Regional Head, Sika India, discussed “Deck Slab Waterproofing & Structural Repairs in Bridges” and raising awareness in maintaining bridges. Er. K P Abraha, Vice President (North) ICI, shared practical solutions for “Crack Control in Concrete Pavements”. Er. V. Venkata Ramana, Vice President, Puzzolana, elaborated the need to move from natural sand to manufactured sand and manufacturing solutions available based on site requirements.
In the valedictory session, Chief Guest Er. Vinay Gupta, President (Elect), ICI and CEO & Director, Tandon Consultants, New Delhi, delivered a keynote address on “Challenges in Design & Construction of Elevated & Underground Metro”. Guests of Honour Dr. M.U. Aswath, Vice President (South), ICI, and Er. Ashwin Moghe, Vice President, Ultratech Cement addressed the gathering, while Er. Vinay Gupta released the National Conference proceedings, distributed certificates to participants, and sponsors and exhibitors were handed mementos. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Er. N Mavul Rao, Hon Secretary of ICI – Hyderabad Center.
