The Government of India established the Jayakar Committee in 1927 to formulate a long-term road planning strategy and recommend measures for the systematic development of the country’s road network.
One of its key recommendations was to hold periodic conferences to discuss various aspects of road development and maintenance. Acting on this suggestion, the Central Government, after consulting the State Governments convened the inaugural Highway Engineers’ Meeting in New Delhi on December 10, 1934.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. D.G. Mitchell, the then Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Industries and Labour, Public Works Branch. It was attended by 73 engineers from across the country, marking the birth of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).