Seaport-airport road to be reloaded

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mumbai landmark Marine Drive has not been closed even for a single day for maintenance over the past several years Similarly, other city roads of Mumbai made of concrete too have been going strong without needing any maintenance.Inspired by it, a PWD team led by Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju, which visited Mumbai last month, has decided to replicate the method of whitetopping roads in the state. On an experimental basis, a 25-km stretch of Seaport-Airport Road in Kochi will be given whitetopping, wherein high-grade cement mixture is laid over the existing road. The PWD will get technical support from India Cement Manufactors.The riding quality of concrete roads is reportedly low as compared to bitumen roads. However, their durability is an attractive factor. Roads with whitetopping generally do not need maintenance for the next 25 years. This technology will be of great importance for the state where crores are being spent every year for road maintenance. “A mixture of high-grade concrete when laid over the road will be as smooth as the bitumen layer. Also, the road will get fixed within three days,” PWD Chief Engineer Baburaj says. Since a lot of friction is involved in riding on concrete roads, it generates more heat. Hence, whitetopping is more suitable for city roads where vehicle speed is generally low, he says. If the pilot project is a success, the PWD plans to whitetop other roads too.