Excelsior Correspondent
ANANTNAG, Nov 27: Minister for R&B and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri today said that Jammu and Kashmir will go for massive technology upgradation in road building as part of build better initiative to create world class infrastructure.
The Minister was speaking at a day-long workshop titled “New Technology for Road Construction.” Citing the example of European countries which have similar weather like Kashmir, the Minister said if those countries can have durable roads for a longer stretch of time, why Kashmir cannot have the same. He asked the department to explore the possibility of sending engineers and technocrats from the state on study tours to European countries.
Terming the roads as lifeline of State, the Minister said that Government is working overtime to eradicate obsolete methods of road building and adopt new technology which will usher into creation of long lasting and durable roads. He said with the adoption of new technology the life span of roads will be tripled thus helping in saving resources. The Minister said the new technology besides being eco-friendly will also speed up economic activity in the State.
The representatives of Total India made a presentation on their cold mix road building technology which eliminates the need to heat the bitumen mixture. They also presented polymer modified bitumen technology suited for hilly areas and which prevents thermal cracking. Officials of Zydex Industries gave a detailed presentation on their nanotechnology road building technology which is resistant to water and snow.
The Minister directed constituting of a committee comprising of Chief Engineers of R&B and PMGSY from both divisions, Technical Officers, representatives of contractors and civil experts to decide which technology should be adopted for road building in the State.
He also asked the companies to build some roads on pilot basis using the new technology and upon evaluation Government will decide which technology to adopt. The Minister also directed the officials to make a detailed cost analysis of old and new technology and submit the report to the Government.
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