American chemical being imported to get desired results, says minister

Srinagar, Oct 21 (KNS): Contrary t0 the previous practices in vogue, the government, from this year, is mulling to macadamize the roads in Kashmir valley despite the harsh winter months by importing a specific chemical from outside.
Reports informed that an American chemical called Evothermal is being used in the ongoing macadamization works in Kashmir valley that would pave way for the continuity of the work even during the winter period when the temperatures hit the freezing point.
When contacted, the R&B minister Syed Altaf Bukhari confirmed that the special chemical is being imported to Kashmir for the first time which would enable the government to continue with the macadamisation work even during the harsh winter period in Kashmir. “This technology is normally used in Europe and America. We are using it for the first time in Kashmir valley on trial basis. We would be able, through the practise, to move beyond the traditional practice wherein the work would witness a hat due to dip in temperatures,” Bukhari said.
The minister added that during the summer months, the macadam dispatched from the plant for the site has the temperature of 140 degrees and while reaching at the site, it gets the decrease of some 20-30 degrees. “In summers, we macadamize the roads with the temrature of the macadam as around 120 degrees. By using Evothermal, we can lay the macadam even if it has 80 degrees of the temperature,” said Bukhari.
He maintained that since the public money is involved in the works, the project is being started on trail basis in a bid to know its efficiency on ground. “We are purchasing it worth 20-256 crore rupees. This year, we will see its efficiency and if it works, then we will go ahead,” R&B Minister remarked.
Pertinently, the government has entered into an agreement for the project with the New Delhi based company which, as per sources, has given undertaking of bearing all costs if the chemical fails to yield the desired results.