The centre will develop new technologies, materials, software and methodologies applicable in highways, bridges, airports, urban utilities, housing, water resource, environment and other related areas.

According to ICT chairman and managing director KK Kapila, a building for the research centre has already been acquired and the necessary equipment and personnel put in place to start research work from April this year.

The centre will work in close association with other research organisations in the public and private sectors, regional engineering colleges and IITs and also network with foreign R and D organisations for development and adaptation of new technologies suitable for Indian conditions. It is also proposed to associate with the Massachussets Institute of Technology (MIT), US for faculty exchange and training programmes.

A high level advisory committee comprising experts drawing from other research organisations, industry and academia has been formed to advise the centre and monitor its programme from time to time.

The centre will meet the research needs of not only ICT but also of other organisations that may commission specific research projects. It will file patents for the research work carried out by it. A major advantage of the centre, Mr Kapila said, will be that it could test the new technologies, materials and methodologies in the field and get the necessary feedback from the various ongoing construction projects.