The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU). The objective of the MoU is to introduce new technology in the field of road safety, engineering, development, maintenance and highways operation.
Prof Pramod Kumar Jain, Director, IIT BHU, and Director General (Road Development) and Special Secretary IK Pandey signed the MoU.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi during the 31st National Road Safety Week observed by the Ministry from January 11 to 17, 2020.
Rajnath Singh, Union Defence Minister; Nitin Gadkari, Union Road Transport Minister and General (Retd) Dr VK Singh, Minister of State, Road Transport and Highways were also present during the occasion.
Prof Jain said that IIT-BHU will assist in evaluation and introduction of new technology for road safety and operational efficiencies. IIT-BHU will also provide technical guidance to MoRTH related to Highway engineering. It will also act as an advisory to Highway Research Board of IRC for identification and monitoring of Research and Development (R&D) activities, along with creating awareness among the citizens.
He also said that the MoU would foster industry-academia collaboration to introduce innovation and collaboration in highway sector. According to him, this would also facilitate research opportunities in topics related to highways and transport in terms of funding and related aspects.
