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Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC), a public sector unit of the Ministry of Coal is constructing a model road near the township arch gate using fly ash. The road is 2 km. long and is a part of an experimental project on 'development of cost effective high performance highways using fly ash composites' jointly undertaken by the NLC and Anna University. The Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Coal has provided Rs.38 lakh for the project.
A rigid pavement of fly ash concrete of M40 grade with 12 cm. Thickness was laid over a 15 cm thick sub-base of fly ash, gravel, sand and lime mix. About 25 per cent of fly ash was used instead of cement for the pavement. Polyester fibres were used to improve abraision and reduce shrinkage cracks. It is estimated that Rs.16.0 lakh will be required to form a one km. long road, with a width of 3.70 m. Although the initial cost may be high, this type of road requires less maintenance cost and helps in bringing about a pollution-free environment.
India thermal power stations produce about 110 million tonnes of fly ash every year. Only ten million tonnes are used for manufacturing cement and other construction material. The remaining quantity normally forms ash ponds. If fly ash composites can find productive uses in road construction, it will help convert waste into wealth and considerably reduce environmental damage.
DS/SCH
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