The 72nd Annual session of the Indian Roads Congress, IRC begins on Thursday at Lucknow. It would be inaugurated by the Public Works Minister Nasimuddin Siddiqui on Thursday evening.

AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that about 2000 delegates and experts from across the country are expected to participate in the four days Congress.

A technical exhibition on this occasion was opened on Wednesday evening showcasing various latest technologies, services and equipment in road sector. There are more than 125 stalls in this technical exhibition.

During the session the Council of the Congress would likely to discuss important technical policy and administrative matters relating to Roads and Road Transport in the Country.

The council also examines draft standards and design codes on various aspects of Roads for being issued as standards of the IRC for use by the Highway Engineers of the country.

At the end of the IRC a meeting of senior most officials of departments and agencies engaged in road construction including Secretaries and Engineers in Chief of PWD from most of the participating states, DG CPWD, DG Boarder Roads and Engineer in Chief Army Headquarter will be held and it will be chaired by the Director General Road Development Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. IRC was set up by the centre in consultation with the state governments in 1934 and premier body of Highway Engineers in the country.