India, Nov. 3 -- Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said NHAI will use sand and other material excavated from rivers and water bodies in Bihar as primary material for building the state's expanding national highway network.

Addressing an event after signing a memorandum of understanding between NHAI and Bihar government to desilt water bodies and use sludge in National Highway projects in the state, Gadkari said this initiative will also help protect the environment, reduce transportation costs and save time. "Excavated silt from rivers and water bodies in Bihar will be repurposed as primary material for building the state's expanding national highway network," he said.

Gadkari said Bihar suffers an annual loss of approximately ...