Govt set to go for 60/70 grade bitumen in road construction

FT ONLINE

As part of sustainable road construction, the government has decided to use only 60/70 grade bitumen while ensuring its longevity, officials said.

The 60/70 grade bitumen is being regarded as appropriate penetration grade taking into consideration the weather pattern and traffic management system of the country.

A recent meeting at the local government division decided that state-owned Eastern Refinery Ltd (ERL) will be asked to produce only the 60/70 grade bitumen.

The Eastern Refinery now also produces 80/100 grade bitumen.

Presently, the annual demand for bitumen is over 0.3 million tonnes, while the ERL can produce only 70,000 tonnes.

The rest of the demand is met through import.

Apart from 60/70 grade, bitumen of other lower grades is also being imported in the country.

The issue came to fore as roads and highways are found to be damaged much earlier than the expected.

The meeting decided to carry out quality test at ports to ensure standards of imported bitumen.

It decided not to allow import of no bitumen other than of 60/70 grade.

The decisions were taken based on a report prepared by Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on Road Design and Pavement Standard, according to officials.

BUET Professor Dr. Muhammad Zakaria in the meeting referring various global studies said 60/70 grade bitumen is appropriate for road construction in countries like Bangladesh.

He said roads are being damaged because of high temperature, incessant rains, and prolonged floods.

In this case, bitumen to be used for road construction must have appropriate adhesiveness, coating capability, flexibility, and anti-stripping agent.

According to officials the meeting has decided to set up bitumen mixing plant in 150 places across the country.

A senior official at the ministry of commerce told the FE his ministry has been requested to ensure import of only 60/70 grade bitumen, not other types.

"We are working on it," he said.

Officials said the energy and mineral resources division has already asked the Eastern to produce only 60/70 grade bitumen and stop producing 80/100 grade.

Eastern managing director Akterul Hoque could not be reached for comments on the matter, despite several attempts.