'36 firms offered to supply cement to govt at cheaper rates'

The government has decided to build concrete National Highways and 36 cement manufacturers are willing to supply the material at the contracted price directly to government organisations at cheaper than market rates, Parliament was informed today.
"Considering the issues related to environment, longer service life, fuel consumption, saving of natural resources, resistance to extreme weather conditions and lesser maintenance costs etc, the Ministry has decided that the cement concrete pavement could be the default mode of construction on National Highways, Minister of State for Road, Transport and Highways Pon Radhakrishnan told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
"The bids have been invited by the Ministry for the rates of cement from the cement manufacturers in the country for supply of cement, on cash and carry basis, to all central government/state government organisations including government owned organisations for undertaking National Highways projects and other centrally sponsored projects," Radhakrishnan said.

It may be recalled that ever since taking charge of the Ministry under the new government, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has been emphasising on building concrete roads, stressing that these are not only environment-friendly but are almost maintenance free for several years.