The Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, visited the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee, a premier national institute dedicated to building science and technology. He was received by Director, Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, along with Chief Scientists Dr. Ajay Chaurasia, Dr. D. P. Kanungo, Prof. S. K. Singh, and Dr. S. K. Panigrahi.

Prof. Pradeep Kumar presented an overview of CSIR-CBRI’s significant contributions to rural development and housing innovation. The Hon’ble Minister later visited the Dr. Billing’s Exhibition Gallery, where he inspected the Solar Air Conditioner and Water Heater technology developed by Dr. Chandan Swaroop Meena, Principal Scientist. This clean-energy innovation provides energy-efficient heating and space conditioning solutions while reducing carbon emissions.

 

The Minister also toured the National Earthquake Engineering Test Facility (NEETF), Fire Research Testing Facility, and the Construction Technology Demonstration Park. At the Demonstration Park, he inaugurated the nation’s first 3D Concrete Printed Rural House under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), coordinated by Dr. Ajay Chaurasia, Chief Scientist, and Mr. Ashish Kapoor, Scientist. He also inspected several model houses showcasing emerging construction technologies.

On this occasion, the Minister participated in a symbolic “Sindoor” tree plantation in the institute lawns and released “Rudraksh”, a rural housing compendium compiled under the coordination of Mr. Ashish Pippal, Principal Scientist, highlighting CBRI’s extensive contributions to rural housing in Uttarakhand.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pemmasani underlined the role of CSIR-CBRI in developing innovative, affordable, and disaster-resilient solutions for rural housing and sanitation. He noted contributions such as the PAHEL compendium of rural housing typologies, now expanded into a digital repository of over 250 designs, the two-pit pour-flush toilet technology implemented in over five crore rural households under Swachh Bharat Mission, and the institute’s recommendations for revising cost norms under PMAY-G to ensure affordability and quality. He also highlighted innovations like non-erodible mud plaster, low-cost strengthening methods, and the establishment of Rural and Construction Technology Parks as live demonstration hubs.

The Hon’ble Minister remarked that the inauguration of the 3D Concrete Printed Rural House marks a milestone in India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat @ 2047, combining modern technology with the Government’s mission to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable homes for every rural family. He also appreciated CSIR-CBRI’s full-scale earthquake and fire testing facilities, describing them as unique national assets for building safety and disaster resilience research.

 

The programme concluded with enthusiastic participation from scientists, staff, and students. Director Prof. Pradeep Kumar presented a memento and shawl to the Hon’ble Minister. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr. D. P. Kanungo, Chief Scientist, and proceedings were conducted by Prof. S. K. Singh, Chief Scientist. The event ended with the National Anthem, followed by a cultural evening presented by the institute’s staff and students.

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