Tech advances spur progress of civilization

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMRL) MD NVS Reddy on Saturday stated that technological advances have played a vital role in the progress of human civilization.

Addressing a national conference on "Technological advances in concrete pavements & bridges" organised by the Indian Concrete Institute, NVS Reddy stated that while there are several advances in concrete technologies, there is an urgent need for quantum jump and revolutionary breakthroughs as it happened in the fields of telecom, electronics, computers to meet the increasing demands for better living conditions.

Giving examples of innovations in the Hyderabad Metro Rail project such as precast construction of the entire Metro station only on central pillars for the first time in the world and viaduct construction with longer spans over the road junctions in segmental construction method, he mentioned that usage of flyash saved 2 lakh tons of cement and usage of "curing compound" saved lakhs of litres of water in the Hyderabad Metro project.

Goading the engineers to play a pioneering role in building world class infrastructure to make India a competitive economy, he advised them to think innovatively to reduce infrastructure building costs.

Participating as the chief guest, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy advised the engineers to come up with technological solutions for the problems being faced by the people in their day to day life.

Retired Chief Secretary of the united AP Dr Mohan Kanda, chairman, ICI, Hyderabad, P Srinivasa Reddy and others participated in the inaugural session of the conference.