The Bokaro Steel Plant is now using a new technology to repair roads in its township areas. This technology is known as micro-surfacing, uses thick bitumen layer to repair roads.

The micro-surfacing technology is nothing but treating the bitumen mixture with a special emulsion which increases the lifespan of road up to three times. This technology uses only 3mm to 6mm thick bitumen layer to repair roads, which will be cost-effective, informed a Public Relation official.

The township area of Bokaro Steel having 250 kms road network and the plant management BSl has taken up the construction of superior quality of roads using this new technique that uses coal tar, stone dust and cement in its township areas, said an expert.

Earlier BSl used this technology in the maintenance of roads inside the plant with a new idea to get rid of plastic wastes and polythene bags.

Integrating plastic (wastes) with bitumen and stone chips the Civil Engineering Department (CED) of BSl prepared a combination for maintenance of roads which can prevent the persistent problem of potholes on the roads and to increase the resistance to water at a lower construction cost, BSl officials said.

“It’s a new way of making good use of discarded plastic and preventing further damage to the environment.

By using plastic we are recycling it and preventing further damage to the environment,” he added.

According to the expert, it’s the best use of the waste plastic in the construction and repairing of roads.

“The plastic coated concrete when exposed to rains does not get damaged and last long. Such roads can survive for more than six years without any damage caused by rains,” added the expert.Plastic-cum-tar roads are much better than unmodified roads and almost 100 percent resistant to soaking up water.

The maintenance cost of the road is very low, while its durability is high.