Shimla – Now the name of the game is FDR. In a bid to enhance road infrastructure and tackle the damage caused by heavy rains and floods, Himachal Pradesh is set to adopt Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technology in road construction.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the use of this technology during a review meeting of the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) with the Public Works department in the presence of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
For the first time in Himachal, roads will be constructed using FDR technology, making the state the fourth in the country to embrace this advanced technique.
FDR involves the thorough pulverization and blending of the entire flexible pavement section and a portion of underlying materials to create a robust, homogeneous stabilized base course.
This innovative approach not only improves road durability but also offers cost-effective and eco-friendly benefits, claim PWD engineers.
In response to the recent damage caused by heavy rains and floods, the state government is focusing on strengthening the rural road network, said CM.
Nearly 2682 kilometers of roads will be constructed at a cost of about Rs. 2683 crore, he added.
Of this total, 666 kilometers will be constructed using FDR technology, 556 kilometers using cement stabilization, and the remaining 1460 kilometers through traditional methods.
Recognizing the critical role of roads in the lives of rural people in Himachal, Chief Minister Sukhu stressed the importance of ensuring quality in road construction.
He directed the Public Works Department to expedite the construction process to ensure timely benefits for the people.
The Indian Road Congress (IRC), India's apex body on road construction, has highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) as a pioneering initiative in rural road development. PMGSY, launched in 2000, aimed to provide all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected habitations, with a focus on quality construction and maintenance.
In a recent conference, the IRC discussed the adoption of new and green technologies in road construction, with a particular emphasis on sustainability.
A new Technology Vision for 2022 aims to maximize the use of these technologies to reduce costs and minimize the carbon footprint in the construction of rural roads and bridges.
Under the scheme, over 100,000 km of roads have been approved for construction using these innovative technologies, with more than 66,000 km already completed.
Notable technologies include the use of waste plastics, cold mix, chemical stabilizers, cell-filled concrete, and more. Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) is gaining traction to achieve cost savings and reduce carbon emissions.
PMGSY has also adopted innovative practices, such as mobile applications for quality inspections, an electronic
Maintenance of Rural Roads system, and web-based monitoring. Research projects are assigned to technical institutions to evaluate roads constructed using new and green technologies.
To further strengthen the adoption of emerging technologies and materials, an International Conference on 'New Technologies and Innovations in Rural Roads' was organized in May 2022, featuring both online and offline participation.
When we talked countrywide connectivity, PMGSY has successfully provided all-weather road connectivity to over 1,61,875 previously unconnected habitations, emphasizing the importance of new and green technology for sustainable road construction and maintenance.
This technological advancement in road construction is expected to significantly enhance the state's infrastructure and improve road resilience, especially in the face of extreme weather events, such as heavy rains and floods.
But major challenge remains how and what is the mechanism to sensitize the contractors and sub-contractors on the new green technology? How the slopy and steep mountains will be cut?
What mechanism the PWD will adopt to check the quality of construction as the corruption remains at high level and rampant in the states.
