Evotherm technology has been introduced in the road projects here at Faqirgurji in Sonwar constituency. The technology will allow the macadamization of roads up to ending December which in normal course remains up to ending October.Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Development, Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that introduction of such technologies has become imperative in view of the weather conditions of the State. He said the technology will bring revolutionary changes in Roads sector once it succeeds. He said the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed is also desirous to extend the working season in the Valley in order to complete maximum development projects especially coming up in road sector. He said the technology will be beneficial for Government, people as well as contractors.
The Minister said that the Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, R&B Minister has also been keen on introduction of new technologies in road sector. He said the technology though introduced on trial basis would show encouraging results.Earlier, the chief engineer, R&B, SK Razdan formally kick started the work in presence of senior engineers of R&B department, group of hotmix plant holders and the senior citizen of the area. He said the chemical being used in the technology is maintaining required temperature of bitumen even in cold conditions. He however clarified that the bitumen could only be laid on dry surface not on wet roads.
Chief Engineer said that the technology is being used in European countries having matching weather conditions with the State. He said this technology is being introduced on experimental basis in the Valley. He said Shopian, Gulmarg and other hilly areas of the Valley have been identified for bringing under the ambit of this technology. “It appears that the technology will yield good results” said the Chief Engineer and asked the engineers to monitor the work closely for its results.While interacting with the hotmix plant holders, the SK Razdan asked them to follow the expert advice and guidelines of the department strictly to achieve better results. He said the technology once succeeds will allow contractors to work up to December end which otherwise remains limited up to October 15 in view of diminishing day temperature.