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The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu today called for greater use of cement concrete in the construction of roads in India. He was addressing delegates at the inaugural session of a two-day Seminar on ‘Design, Construction and Maintenance of Cement Concrete Roads’, organised by the India Roads Congress (IRC), here.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, “On the Golden Quadrilateral Project connecting the four Metros of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai, cement concrete roads are being constructed on about 1,600 km out of the total length of 5,841 km. Similarly, on the 7,300 km long North-South and East-West Corridors which comprise Phase-II of the National Highways Development Project (NHDP), cement concrete roads of a sizeable length will be provided depending upon the techno-economic feasibility. Another project of improvement of 10,000 km of National Highways with private sector participation on BOT basis is under active consideration of the Government. It has been named NHDP-Phase III. In these projects, choice may be given to the road developers between bituminous and cement concrete roads. It is a well-known fact that cement concrete road has longer life and requires very little maintenance, but at the same time, it requires higher initial investment and higher degree of care in design and construction. Therefore, a judicious decision is to be taken keeping in view all the factors for overall economic development of the country.”
Thiru Baalu said that he would like a professional body like the IRC to study the practice and experience of cement roads in other countries and to prepare a document bringing out strategies of planning and construction of cement concrete roads in the country with a view to enhance its share in a time-bound manner. I would also request the cement industry to join hands with the IRC and help in bringing out a policy document for consideration of Central and State Governments, he added.
Shri Dhanendra Kumar, Secretary, Road Transport and Highways, Shri Santosh Nautiyal, Chairman, National Highways Authority of India, Shri S.S.Momin, President, IRC, Shri Indu Prakash, DG (Road Development) and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. The Seminar is being attended by over 300 highway engineering experts from India and abroad.
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