The International Seminar on “Advances in Bridge Management” took place on September 25-26, 2024, at Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bengaluru. Organised by the Indian Road Congress in association with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, and the International Road Association, the seminar brought together top professionals from around the world. It was inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Government of India.

Over the course of two days, 24 distinguished speakers shared their insights on the latest innovations and challenges in bridge construction and management. The event featured 12 international experts from countries including the USA, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Spain, France, Japan, Korea, the UK, and Australia, alongside 12 Indian speakers identified by the Indian Road Congress, Ministry of Surface Transports, and the International Road Association.

During the event, Dr S B Hegde, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jain College of Engineering and Technology, Hubli and Visiting Professor, Pennsylvania State University, USA, delivered the first keynote presentation on “New and Sustainable Materials & Technologies in Bridge Construction”. “My session focused on the potential of innovative materials such as Photocatalytic Concrete, Self-Healing Concrete, Basalt Fiber-Reinforced Polymers, and Nanocomposites to improve the longevity and sustainability of India’s bridge infrastructure. This was particularly crucial as the design and construction of bridges for a 100-year service life demand advanced materials and techniques,” said Dr Hegde, who is also the Editorial Advisory Board Member of Indian Cement Review (ICR).

The response from the audience, including engineers, industry professionals, consultants, and academicians, was overwhelmingly positive. The seminar emphasised the importance of updated IRC codes, project preparation, and bridge health monitoring systems in achieving sustainable infrastructure development in India.

This seminar underscored India’s commitment to innovative solutions for infrastructure, setting the stage for future advancements in bridge management and construction.