Wednesday 7 April 2021

Nitinbhai, there is a BETTER / CHEAPER alternative

Context :

Mr Gadkari seeks alternative to Steel and Cement for road projects / SteelGuru / 22 Feb

Extract :

Moneycontrol reported that Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Mr Nitin Gadkari on February 21 called upon the Indian Road Congress to find alternatives to cement and steel in road construction.

The minister told a convention organised by the IRC in New Delhi,

“The prices of both cement and steel are being raised artificially by a sophisticated cartel. Time had come to punish the cartels who were driving up the prices. We need to take some innovative actions to stop them from doing this.

I suggest you take steps to reduce the use of cement and steel in road construction. The contractors, government agencies and the poor are being adversely affected due to the exorbitant rise in steel and cement prices.”

Mr Gadkari also claimed that he was recently presented with a plan to use synthetic fibre for road, bridge construction and for repair works by Reliance Industries.

He said “It was conveyed to Reliance that a rate contract would be inked before approving their proposed material for use in road construction and repair works. I told them it’s not good that they will increase the price after we give approval.”

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Dear Nitinbhai,

Almost 5 years ago, I had sent to you following E Mail. I urge you to get my suggestion, examined / evaluated by the Indian Road Congress :

Ø Cold Asphalt is THE ANSWER ……………………[ 19 July 2016 ]

Extract :

Dear Shri Gadkariji :

Allow me to suggest use of " COLD ASPHALT " technology for building new roads / filling pot holes

Use of hot asphalt requires a very narrow temperature range within which it must be spread on roads before rolling

Any hotter and it will just stick to the roller. Any colder and it just won't set

It is difficult to maintain such narrow range ( of temperature ) after asphalt carrying truck travels hundreds of kilometers - even when that truck has a heating jacket ( consuming lots of fuel ! )

If solidified asphalt ( usually stored in steel drums ) is used at the construction site , then it needs to be heated / melted locally ( usually by creating a wood fire ) - causing pollution and consuming trees !

And hot asphalt would just not adhere to a wet surface , rendering it useless for use in monsoon - especially for repair of pot holes

" COLD ASPHALT " technology overcomes ALL of these problems !

* It consists of mixing water ( 90 % ) with hot asphalt ( 9 % ) in presence of a

specialty chemical ( 1 % ) , in very simple Mixing Machine which can be

transported anywhere on a trolley

* This liquid mixture can remain stored in steel drums at ROOM

TEMPERATURE for over ONE YEAR !

* Drums containing liquid can be transported and stored at road construction

sites and COLD ASPHALT mixed with sand / aggregates as and when required

No ripping / destroying of drums and breaking of solid asphalt

* There is no need for ANY temperature control as mixture / aggregate can remain at AMBIENT temperature

* Since Cold Asphalt is basically water ( 90 % ) , it is ideally suited for filling wet pot holes or laying on wet roads