Our Take
Concrete roads are better than those using bitumen, particularly in many areas of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir. Why? The reason is that bitumen or blacktopped roads cannot withstand heavy rains, snowfall and such other forms of precipitation. These roads get corroded very fast after every rainy season, or even heavy winters in snowbound areas.
We have been witness to this spectacle of potholes appearing on road stretches where water accumulates. Then repairs have to be carried out time and again whichever too is a costly affair. On the Jammu-Sringar national highway, there are many patches which have a tendency of water accumulation. At some spots, this is because of faulty banking and construction of those patches.
At others, the problem is difficult to address as the drainage in those areas is not possible, perhaps because of the underground source of water. One particular stretch of road which was really difficult for the users was near Sherbibi bridge in Ramban district of today. Long lines of vehicles were a common sight on this stretch a decade ago.
Year after year, the road on this stretch was blacktopped more than once a year and yet pose challenges. Finally, someone in the officialdom took a decision to change it from being a blacktopped road to that of concrete. It was dug up for three feet or more, and heavy iron bars were set in concrete, layer after layer. It was a difficult road-making exercise as this stretch between Digdol and Ramsu also used to attract heavy traffic.
Both for locals living in the nearby areas and long route drivers, it was a difficult time. However, in small patches, the road got changed from a blacktopped stretch to a concrete one with iron rods embedded in it. The wear and tear of the road has reduced as compared to earlier times and it needs far less repairs nowadays. Of course, the perennial water from the nearby hills is a constant headache for those responsible for maintenance of this vital lifeline to Kashmir valley.
Those tasked with ensuring smooth traffic on the highway should identify similar stretches elsewhere on this road. Efforts should be made to convert them into concrete stretches instead of blacktopping them time and again. Of course, it is costlier to construct concrete roads as compared to blacktopped ones but prioritising some stretches can perhaps do the trick.
