Bhubaneswar: The 84th session of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) commenced in Bhubaneswar on Friday, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurating the four-day national conference that has returned to the city after a decade.
The event has drawn around 3,500 delegates, including engineers, scientists, academicians, and administrators from across the country, to deliberate on the future of India’s road and highway infrastructure.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, IRC President Manoranjan Parida, and World Road Association Vice President Dharmananda Sarangi joined Gadkari for the ceremonial lighting of the lamp to mark the formal opening.
This year’s conference centres on developing sustainable, resilient, and eco-friendly infrastructure, addressing challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, emerging technologies, and climate change.
Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan expressed pride in hosting the IRC session for the sixth time, noting that Bhubaneswar last hosted the event ten years ago. He reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to advancing modern and durable road infrastructure aligned with the IRC’s mission of enhancing connectivity and promoting green growth.
