Question : SURFACING OF ROADS BY CONCRETE

(a)whether the Government is considering the surfacing of Roads by Concrete instead of Bitumen ;

(b) if so, the details thereof; (

(c)whether it is a fact that concrete roads are last longer, save fuel, withstand extremes of weather and are pollution free;

(d)if so, the plans to concretize 65,000 Kms. of National Highways by using unutilized 20% production capacity of cement in the country;

(e) whether the fuel savings would amount to Rs.14,500 crores a year if entire National Highways are concretized; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING, ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI K. H. MUNIYAPPA)

(a) to (d) Concrete roads have certain advantages over Bituminous roads like longer life cycle, ability to withstand extremes of temperature, low maintenance cost and areconsidered better option in situations like weak soil with low bearing capacity, high rainfallareas, built-up areas with inadequate surface drainage facilities, heavy axle load etc.Keeping these advantages and suitability in view the Government encourages the use ofconcrete roads in specific situations. However, concrete roads have certain drawbackslike higher initial cost, uncomfortable riding due to joints, more wear and tear of tyres,requirement of high degree of quality control during construction, rebuilding of entirepavement in case of failure, difficulties in widening of the pavement and higher noiselevels etc. As such, there is no proposal to concretize the entire 65,000km of National Highways.

(e) & (f) No such specific assessments has been made by this Ministry.