New Delhi, Oct 16 : Vice President Hamid Ansari inaugurated an international seminar on "Latest Trends in Construction of Bridges" organised by the Delhi State Centre of the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers (IIBE) here today.

In his address, the Vice President said that Bridge construction today is a highly specialised activity and is undergoing rapid changes in design, usage of materials and construction methodologies. Imbibing the latest global technologies would bring down the gestation period of infrastructure projects and improve our overall economic efficiency.

"The construction industry not only plays an important role in creating infrastructure but also in employment generation and effective capital utilization," he added.

He said that enhancing connectivity within the country, with our neighbours in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region and with countries in South-East Asia is an important national priority.

"It is here that the experience and expertise would count in timely execution of infrastructure projects, with appropriate risk management systems," he added.

He hoped that the seminar would highlight the important work of bridge engineers across the length and breadth of the country and their significant contribution to national building. (ANI)