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.