Government Discourages Bitumen for Road Construction, Promotes Cement Concrete Roads
Summary
The government has issued a directive discouraging imported bitumen and promoting cement concrete roads where technically feasible. The policy has sparked debate over costs, durability, and whether it will strengthen infrastructure or simply benefit domestic cement manufacturers.
Key Points
- A new public procurement directive discourages imported bitumen and pushes cement concrete roads using domestic cement where feasible.
- Cement manufacturers have long lobbied for greater use of concrete roads, arguing they reduce imports and support domestic production.
- Experts and contractors disagree sharply on the initial cost of concrete roads, with estimates ranging from moderately higher to several times more than asphalt.
- The article cites Daunne on the Narayangadh-Butwal road as a trial example, while also noting technical and maintenance concerns.
