Nagpur: “The work of construction of cement roads in India started in 1940, and it first took place in Nagpur. The target of road-networking in India is 33 lakh Killo Metres. In the road-construction network, the USA is leading, and India is next to it. It is a matter of great concern that as many as 700 citizens die in road accidents everyday in India. So, to give a check to it there is a need of using latest technology to construct quality-wise durable concrete roads. The stock of petroleum products is going to suffice for a period of coming 25 years across the world. As a result, the coal-tar (bitumen) road construction will not be possible, and construction of concrete roads is the only option left,” said Dr L R Kadiyali, an expert in concrete road construction technology and honorary member of American Concrete Association.
He was addressing during inauguration of a workshop on concrete road construction, organized at Dr Panjabrao Dshmukkh Standing Committee Hall at Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) premises on June 11, in the city.The workshop, a joint venture of NMC and UltraTech Cement Limited, was aimed at technically guiding the NMC engineers, technocrats and officials for quality construction of concrete roads in the city.
The workshop was inaugurated by NMC Mayor Pravin Datke and Standing Committee chairman Ramesh Singare. Dignitaries present on the occasion included Addl Dy Commissioner Jayant Dandegaonkar, Superintending Engineer Shashikant Hastak, UltraTech Cement’s Technical Head S B Kulkarni, Vidarbha Marketing Head Pradeep Walter, West Zone Technical Head Clinton Parera,Vidarbha Tehnical Engineer Dharmik Joshi, NMC Town Engineer Sanjay Gaikwad, Executive Engineer (Projects) Mahesh Gupta, Executive Engineer Dilip Jamgade, Development Engineer Rahul Warke, Estate officer D D Jambhulkar, EE Satish Neral, Traffic Engr Kranti Sonkusare, Garden Supdt Sudhir Mate, all NMC zonal engineers, officials and staff.
Speaking on the occasion Pravin Datke called on the engnineers and workers to pay attention to quality and design while constructing concrete roads, already proposed for Gandhibagh, Satranjipura, Dharampeth, North Nagpur and other earmarked areas. He also urged the NMC officials that the guidance given by Dr Kadiyali must be put into practice.
Ramesh Singare corroborating with views of Datke stressed that quality control should not be ignored in the concrete road construction, so that they may become traffic friendly.
NMC PRO Ashok Kolhatkar conducted the proceedings while Mahesh Gupta made introductory remarks. The vote of thanks was proposed by S B Kulkarni of UltraTech Cement, informed a press release issued by NMC.
– RAJEEV RANJAN KUSHWAHA(rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com)