SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has justified the use of German technology in the construction of roads in Meghalaya.
In reply to a question by Paul Lyngdoh(UDP), the Chief Minister said in the Assembly on Wednesday that with a view to use better technology in the road construction, the German model was adopted as the state government had in the past was the victim of its own experiments in road construction in the context of heaviest rainfall, overstress on roads among others.
Citing an example, the Chief Minister said that in the past the Ampati-Purakhasia road used to be the worst road in the state, but due to use of German technology, the road withstood vagaries of nature.
He said that as the German technology does not use aggregates (stones) so the collection of stones has delayed the road projects in the state. “Due to conventional method, a 10 km road used to take at least three to five years for completion, and moreover, contractors too take time to complete the road,” he said.
According to the Chief Minister, technology should be part of the state’s government’s endeavour to improve the roads and the state should be open for innovations.
He also added that Indian Road Congress had also adopted the German technology in road construction.
Earlier in his reply, the PWD (roads) Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the German technology is based on the product called Evo Crete in combination with cement.
The Minister said that as the implementation of technology is still in progress, comments on its efficiency cannot be said.
He said the Resubelpara PWD(roads) division under Williamnagar circle has identified a road project for the use of technology. The project is strengthening of road from 37th km of Songsak Mendipathar road.
Under Tura circle, 4 km of Ampati-Purakhasia road has been completed upto wearing coat level, he said.
Moreover, Betasing Mellim road has been completed upto wearing coat level except for some protection works.
Raising a supplementary question, John Leslee Sangma (Independent) asked the state government to use the technology in other parts of the state too.
