Made of cement-concrete, they are hardier and provide better grip
The State Highways Department has started using paver blocks in spots that are prone to water logging and get worn out quickly. Recently, it laid such blocks made of cement-concrete on the roads beneath two underpasses on the Porur-Kundrathur and Pallavaram-Thiruneermalai roads.
“These two locations had issues of water logging and we had constructed culverts to drain the water. Paver blocks do not get worn out like bitumen even if a small amount of water stays on the surface. The surface seems to have more grip in such situations,” said a source in the department.
The work to lay the blocks for about 150 metres took 15 days to finish. However, the base work and construction of culverts took about two months to complete, said an official.
The cost of construction, including the drain, is Rs. 30 lakh. Concrete or wet mix macadam is first laid and over it is laid two inches of sand. The M50 grade concrete blocks are placed over this.
“Though this is a bit expensive compared to the regular bituminous road-laying , it is sturdy. Regular tar surfaces get damaged in a matter of three months or just in a day’s time if continuous and heavy rains occur,” the official explained.
The use of concrete blocks is also an advantage when it comes to repair work.
The height of the road need not increase with constant relaying and the department will be able to avoid recurring expenditure.
The technology has been brought to the city after tests. “Such blocks have been laid in Kodaikanal and in the ghat sections,” he said.
Keywords: water logging, Chennai infrastructure development
