Mr Akhilesh Srivastava, Chief General Manager (IT & Highway Operations) of National Highway Authority of India has been conferred the prestigious CIDC Vishwakarma Award in a lavish function held on 7th March 2018 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), set up by the Government of India along with the Planning Commission and Indian construction industry to take up development activities of the construction industry, has honoured 185 dynamic personalities for their impeccable efforts in the Indian construction industry at the 10th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards 2018. These personalities include entrepreneurs (working in ventures with the public sector), public officers, academician, scientist, technologist, innovator and more. The award was divided into different categories and subcategories such as Achievement Award for Industry Doyen, Achievement Award for Creating Social Development and Impact, Achievement Award for Scientist/Academician/Technologist/Innovator, Achievement Award for Best News Coverage of Construction Industry, and many more.

This award was given to Mr Akhilesh Srivastava by Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) during its 22nd Annual Day and 10th CIDC Vishwakarma Awards in recognition of his exemplary contribution in the growth of National Highway network of India during last one decade.

He has spearheaded the National Highway development planning and execution across the country as CGM (IT & Highway Operations), National Highway Authority of India for about two years and now continuing to facilitate growth and development of the Highway infrastructure by embedding top-notch Information Technology in it.

Mr Akhilesh Srivastava has unparallel work experience of more than 25 years in contract management, logistics, infrastructure, Information Technology, Operational Management and housing management for Indian Armed Forces. He took up the charge as the Chief General Manager (IT and Highway operation) in NHAI and also as the CGM & Chief Operations Officer at Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) in 2016.

The NHAI, the organization which works under the wings of The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), has been working on a comprehensive array of projects for the modernization of the Indian Highway Network by embedding world-class and most suitable technology. Mr Akhilesh Srivastava has been playing a major part in the implementation of these projects. The projects include:
• Electronic Toll Collection (ETC): To enable the quick and automatic fee payment at the Toll Plazas without halting.
• Wayside Amenities (WSA): To ensure all the facilities (from basic to advanced level) and civic amenities to the highway commuters and truckers.
• Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS): To manage the highway incidents such as accidents, traffic jams, gridlocks and more, by incorporating the most advanced and high-end technologies and software and network it all to one centralized database.
• UAVs and LiDARs: To monitor the construction and management of highway projects, preparation of DPR and smooth functioning of ATMs.
• Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): To enable the cyber arbitration, mediation, and conciliation for the prompt resolution of disputes.

The CIDC is recognizing the efforts of all such committed change-makers in the world of construction and has also announced the list of the recipients of the Partners in Progress Trophy, which is a token appreciation to honour organisations that have been CIDC’s partners in progress. These are the organizations and companies that have shown their supreme obligation to create a vibrant work environment in the construction industry. CIDC is also honouring them for achieving targets of “Mission Skilling India”.

The jury of the Awards consists of the most prominent bureaucrats and officials of the Indian Construction Industry, who have selected these awardees on the basis of their work history, public and private parties’ suggestions, and more.