Why Cement Roads Make Sense in Manipur’s Hills - Explained!

Manipur’s road crisis is not merely about poor connectivity - it is about choosing the right engineering solutions for a difficult terrain. A frequent question raised by citizens, especially in hill districts like Lamka (Churachandpur), is why cement concrete roads are being built instead of bitumen roads.

The answer lies in geography and climate.

Manipur’s hill districts receive intense monsoon rainfall, often accompanied by landslides and soil erosion. Bitumen roads, which are flexible by design, deteriorate rapidly when water penetrates the surface layers. Potholes, cracks, and surface peeling become inevitable within a few monsoon cycles.

Cement concrete roads, by contrast, act as a rigid slab, distributing load evenly and resisting water damage. On steep slopes - common in hill districts - cement surfaces provide better traction, reducing accident risks during rain.

Critics often point to the higher initial cost of cement roads. However, this is a short-sighted argument. In hill conditions, bitumen roads require frequent repairs, consuming public funds repeatedly. Cement roads, though costlier at the outset, offer long-term savings by lasting two to three decades with minimal maintenance.

Government schemes like PMGSY increasingly recommend cement roads for hill areas, acknowledging these realities. The problem, therefore, is not the choice of cement, but poor construction quality, inadequate drainage, and lack of monitoring.

For Manipur, the debate should shift from “cement vs bitumen” to “engineering integrity vs corruption”. A well-built cement road can transform connectivity; a poorly built one - regardless of material - will fail.

In Lamka and many other hill towns of Manipur, cement concrete (CC) roads are often preferred over bitumen (asphalt) roads for a mix of geographical, climatic, technical, and administrative reasons:

1. Heavy Rainfall & Drainage Issues

• Lamka receives very high monsoon rainfall.
• Bitumen roads soften, peel, and develop potholes quickly when water seeps into the base layer.
• Cement roads are far more water-resistant and less prone to rain damage.

2. Hilly Terrain & Steep Slopes

• Many roads have steep gradients.
• Bitumen surfaces become slippery during rains, increasing accident risk.
• Cement concrete provides better grip and braking, especially on slopes and sharp curves.

3. Soil Condition (Weak Subgrade)

• The soil in and around Lamka is often loose and landslide-prone.
• Cement roads act like a rigid slab, distributing load better than flexible bitumen roads.
• Bitumen roads crack faster when the ground shifts.

4. Longer Life & Lower Long-Term Cost

• Cement roads last 25–30 years, while bitumen roads typically last 8–12 years in hill conditions.
• Though cement roads have a higher initial cost, they need much less frequent repairs, which suits remote hill districts where maintenance is difficult.

5. Government Guidelines for Hill Roads

• Under schemes like:
• PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana)
• State PWD hill-road norms
• Cement concrete is recommended or mandated for:
• Slopes above a certain gradient
• Roads with heavy runoff
• Landslide-prone areas

6. Availability of Materials

• Stone aggregates and sand are locally available.
• Bitumen must be transported from outside the state, raising costs and supply delays.
• Cement is easier to store and transport to interior villages.

7. Resistance to Overloading

Cement roads tolerate overloaded trucks (common during construction seasons) better than bitumen roads, which rut and deform.

8. Climate Change Considerations

• Rising temperatures soften bitumen.
• Cement roads are more stable under the temperature variations now being experienced in Manipur.

9. Why People Still Complain

Despite these advantages, complaints arise because:

• Poor quality control
• Inadequate curing time
• Lack of side drains
• Substandard construction practices

11. Cement vs Bitumen Roads in Manipur (Comparison Table)

12. PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana)

Under PMGSY Guidelines (MoRD):

• Cement Concrete (CC) roads are recommended for:

  • Hill States and hill districts

  • Areas with annual rainfall above 1000–1500 mm

  • Roads with steep gradients (>6%)

  • Flood- and landslide-prone areas

• PMGSY permits higher initial cost for CC roads, recognizing their longer service life.

• CC roads are preferred where maintenance access is difficult, which applies to interior villages of Manipur.

Many rural roads in Lamka, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, and Senapati are sanctioned under PMGSY using CC specifications.

13. Manipur PWD & Hill Road Engineering Norms

As per Manipur PWD (R&B) practices aligned with IRC (Indian Roads Congress):

• Cement concrete is advised for:

  • Hill roads with sharp curves

  • Stretches prone to water stagnation

  • Roads passing through unstable soil

• Bitumen roads are used mainly in:

  • Valley areas (Imphal Plain)

  • Urban roads with proper drainage

• IRC standards followed include:

  • IRC:SP:20 – Rural Roads Manual

  • IRC:SP:62 – Cement Concrete Roads

  • IRC:37 – Flexible Pavement (Bitumen)

14. Why Government Prefers Cement in Hills

• Reduced lifecycle cost (as accepted by MoRD & PWD)

• Better monsoon performance

• Fewer post-construction complaints

• Less frequent tendering & repair contracts

In short: Cement roads in Churachandpur are chosen because they suit hill terrain, heavy rain, weak soil, and long-term durability better than bitumen roads.

The real challenge lies in proper engineering and supervision, not the material itself.

Sources:

• Government of India, PMGSY-IV Guidelines (Dec 2024);
• PMGSY Programme Guidelines (MoRD/NRIDA);
• Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards – Rural Roads Manual (IRC:SP:20), Cement Concrete Pavement Guidelines (IRC:SP:62), Flexible Pavement Guidelines (IRC:SP:72/IRC:37).

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RTI APPLICATION FORMAT (ROAD WORKS)

To
The Public Information Officer (PIO)
Office of the _______________________
(Executive Engineer / PWD / Rural Development Dept.)
District: ____________________, Manipur

Subject:

Information sought under the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding road construction work at ____________________

Applicant Details

Name: __________________________
Address: _______________________
Mobile No.: ____________________
Email (optional): ______________

Information Requested

Sir/Madam,

Kindly provide the following information under Section 6(1) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 regarding the road construction work at (name of road/location/village):

1. Scheme Details

   • Under which scheme was the road sanctioned?
     (PMGSY / State PWD / Other — specify)

2. Administrative & Technical Sanction

   • Copy of the Administrative Approval (AA)

   • Copy of the Technical Sanction (TS)

3. Estimated Cost

   • Approved project cost

   • Length and width of the road as per DPR

4. Contract Details

   • Name of the contractor / firm

   • Copy of the work order / agreement

   • Contract start date and stipulated completion date

5. Design & Standards

   • Whether the road is cement concrete or bitumen

   • IRC standard followed (e.g., IRC:SP:20 / IRC:SP:62 / IRC:37)

   • Design life of the road as per DPR

6. Material Specifications

   • Grade of cement / bitumen used

   • Thickness of pavement layers

   • Details of aggregate and sand source

7. Curing & Construction

   • Prescribed curing period for the road

   • Actual curing period followed

   • Copy of curing certification (if available)

8. Drainage Provisions

   • Whether side drains were included in the DPR

   • Length and type of drains provided

   • Reasons if drains were not constructed

9. Quality Control

   • Name and designation of the Quality Control Engineer

   • Dates of site inspections conducted

   • Copy of inspection or test reports

10. Payments

    • Total amount paid to the contractor till date

    • Copy of running account bills / final bill (if paid)

11. Defects & Maintenance

    • Whether any defects were noticed after construction

    • Action taken against contractor, if any

    • Defect liability period as per contract

12. Photographic Records

    • Copies of official photographs taken:

      • Before construction

      • During construction

      • After completion

Declaration

I hereby declare that the information sought does not fall under any exemption under Sections 8 or 9 of the RTI Act, 2005.

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Fee Details

RTI Application Fee of ₹10/- paid via:
☐ Indian Postal Order (IPO) No. __________
☐ Online payment (if applicable)

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Date: _____________

Place: _____________

Signature of Applicant

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📌 Where to File

• PMGSY road → PIO, Rural Development Department / DRDA

• State road → PIO, PWD (Roads & Bridges), District or Circle Office

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🧠 Tips for Citizens

• Use specific road name & location

• Ask for documents, not explanations

• File separate RTIs if roads are under different schemes

• If no reply in 30 days, file First Appeal

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⚖️ One-Line Power Question (Very Effective)

“Please provide certified copies of all documents related to the sanction, construction, quality control, and payment of the above road.”