The government has taken an initiative to construct smart roads in Sylhet through nanotechnology.
In this regard, the government is going to take up a pilot project and construct three roads in Sylhet division.
The roads are Moulvibazar-Rajnagar-Fenchuganj-Sylhet road, Shaistaganj-Habiganj road and Kulaura (Brahmanbazar)-Moulvibazar road.
These roads will not get damaged easily by incessant rains or clogged water from floods, said experts.
The new technology will also ensure road safety for users in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the project, the government will use acrylic polymer, a state-of-the-art eco-friendly nanotech product, to reduce road construction costs by at least 30% as well as ensure roads that are safer than the traditional ones.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune recently, Additional Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) Fazle Rabbe said as per instructions of the Road Transport and Highways Division, a Development Project Proforma (DPP) for the project has been prepared. The construction of 48.57 kilometres of roads will cost the government Tk 985 crores, said the additional chief engineer.
If approved, it will be the first such project in the country, he said.
The title of the project is `Pilot project in Sylhet Zone for the construction of durable and cost effective roads by using modern materials (Acrylic Polymer, Steel Fiber, Steel Slag) by applying strategies based on research', said Fazle Rabbe.
The main goal of this project is to ensure a sustainable transport system, socio-economic development, industrial development and employment creation, and usage of smart technology to reduce industrial hazard.
He said that under the project, modern road embankments will be made by using acrylic polymer, modern concrete pavements will be built with steel fiber and road surfacing will be done by using steel slag.
He also said that the foundation of the road constructed with acrylic polymer concrete is completely waterproof. Even if the road is submerged in flood water, the concrete pavements will last at least 50 years.
As a result, the construction cost is slightly higher than that in the conventional method, but it will be profitable for the government in the long term.
Steel slag is a by-product of the country's iron and steel industry, which is harmful for the environment as well as hazardous. On the other hand, its use in road construction will make the road strong and durable and at the same time will protect the environment.
He said that in the traditional method bricks and stone chips are used as main ingredients to construct road base and road sub-base. But the use of acrylic polymer will make these major elements redundant.
"No stones or bricks will be required in the process, which means it will also reduce carbon emissions." he said.
Kazi Md Shifun Newaz, assistant professor at the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET), said that this technology will ensure road safety. He said that roads made of acrylic polymer play an important role in reducing road crashes, especially at night.
According to the details of the project, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of ABM Amin Ullah Noori, secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Department under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, on July
Construction experts say acrylic polymer is currently being used in the United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and various countries in the Middle East. India and Bhutan have also started using it for road construction.
