The concept of development is ambiguous and can be defined differently. The meaning and perception of development are continuously changing. Maybe getting electricity, having an internet connection which is faster and cheaper and traveling from one place to another faster and safer is termed as development.
But is this the same case in some parts of Nepal?
In this age of technology, while we are ordering our daily needs to our doorstep, some are walking miles to get salt. 33% of the population live at least two hours walk from a road. Because of geographical complexity, current settlement pattern, and slower development progress, people from some parts of the country are struggling to achieve the minimum service and economic activities. Whereas in some parts of the country urbanization is so rapid resulting in increasing income, a more speedy and reliable transport system is lacking. Hence, inadequate transport infrastructure has further widened the regional disparity.
While developed countries have used all the benefits of this versatile and inexpensively durable material to build their fortune. Third-world countries like Nepal are stuck between the narrative of concrete being a villain and actually using concrete to develop infrastructures i.e the major development of a nation.
Actually, shelters made from resilient material like reinforced concrete can save us from natural and man-made disasters like earthquakes or climate disasters.
“Nepal, even when it actually contributes to the health of ecology and has hardly harmed the earth, unfairly lies in the list of most vulnerable countries to climate change disasters.”
What’s the significance of Road Infrastructure Development in Nepal?
In Nepal, inadequate and unbalanced transportation infrastructure is blamed for underdevelopment. After decades of conflict and political instability, Nepal is in the accelerated pace of economic growth for which transportation development has been recognized as one of the core strategies. Transport is one of the infrastructures of development, it needs due attention for the rapid economic growth. The Government of Nepal is planning to achieve a road density of about 1.5 km/km2 by the year 2030 current density being 0.55km/km2.
More than residential infrastructures, the basic development of Nepal depends hugely upon sustainable road infrastructures, mainly highways, yet to be constructed. Connecting people with the road network can only develop a nation’s economic growth and prosperity.
Science of Roads:
So let’s dive into the science of roads and how they are built. Roads basically have 3 to 4 layers. The lowermost is the gravel and natural earth and the topmost surface of the road is called pavement.
A popular dilemma in road construction has been the choice of pavement material. Commonly used pavement materials are asphalt concrete and cement concrete. Asphalt is the by-product produced during the production of oils and is different from cement which is a major construction material in itself.
While in Nepal asphalt concrete pavements dominate the roads, only less than 3% of roads are made of cement concrete. Taking reference from global research it can be considered that cement concrete pavements are cheaper in the long term and are durable. A study showed that a total of $105,526.13 USD will be saved per kilometer if the road utilizes rigid pavement as an alternative.
This is due to the frequent maintenance needs of asphalt concrete roads. Cement concrete roads can last more than 30 years. Asphalt concrete is said to last almost 10 years but due to low quality construction in Nepal, without frequent maintenance their lifetime is limited to months.
So the question lies in how to build more resilient and sustainable roads in Nepal?
Use of locally available materials is one basic principle in good civil engineering practice. But asphalt isn’t local to Nepal. We import asphalt-based materials from India. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Nepal Imports from India of Bitumen and Asphalt (Natural), Bituminous or Oil Shale, Tar Sands was US$263,690 during 2019.
Whereas cement is produced in Nepal and it is expected that the price of cement may go down due to surplus production. So exploring alternatives is a must for Nepal.
Are there any ways to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete?
Even though concrete has huge carbon footprints, researchers around the globe are looking for ways to decrease its harmful impact by using admixtures like fly ash, using renewable energies to produce Cement, or revolutionary ideas like completely replacing limestones with magnesium to significantly decrease the co2 production of the process.
But, we can’t afford to wait more because we have a long way to go.
Only research and studies based on Nepal can help us identify the most economic and sustainable pavement material Nepal can use to build better roads in the next 20 years.
Then only can we decide whether “Concrete is a slayer or savior?’’