DHAKA: Speakers at a roundtable discussion opined that construction of concrete roads would lessen cost and become sustainable in the long term.
There many advantages in long term despite a little more cost at the initial stage and bitumen on roads is not lasted much time due to heavy downpour, they added.
The roundtable titled ‘Use of Concrete in Constructing Sustainable Roads: Problems and Possibilities’ organized by a leading Bangla daily Kaler Kantho at the EWMGL auditorium at Bashundhara Residential Area in the city on Sunday.
Civil Engineering Department Professor Dr M Shamsul Haque, Engineers Institution Chairman Dr M Shamim Z Bosunia, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor AMM Shafiullah, BUET Civil and Engineering Department Professor Dr Mizanur Rahman, LGED Project Director (Coastal Roads) Abul Bashar, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam, The Daily Sun Editor Amir Hossain, Bashundhara Group Adviser (Press and Media) Abu Tayeb, Kaler Kantho Executive Editor Mostafa Kamal and Dhaka City Corporation Executive Engineer Tanvir Hossain were among others present at the roundtable.
Addressing the roundtable Dr Shamsul said, “There are many advantages of concrete-made roads in the long term despite a little more cost at the initial stage and bitumen on roads is not lasted much time due to heavy downpour.”
He said, “The vehicles with overload, weather and temperature damage the roads enormously.”
The expert said, “Concrete roads can absorb more load and pressure than that of bitumen roads. Concrete roads last long.”
Dr Shamsul said, “The concrete roads are more suitable in economic, environmental and social perspectives and this type of roads has low repairing cost.”
Experts expressed their concern on the worst conditions of the country’s highways and also discussed the problems and possibilities of constructing concrete roads after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the authorities concerned.
They said there were lacks of coordination between the government organizations including LGRD, Roads and Highways and the city corporations.
Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mashiur Rahman Ranga attended the program as chief guest.
Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon moderated the roundtable discussion.
BDST: 1530 HRS, AUG 31, 2014
