THE ROAD AND SOCIETY science and faith
I was the ardent student of science write from the beginning but in my thirty years of experience in scientific world I have experience that science and faith not work seperately but they go hand in hand. The level of scientific study in our country is very low. Our purpose of doing work is to get degree and acquire position in the scientific community. Once we achieve we forget research and do administrative work. Almost all research organizations have similar attitude, knowing this I have joined ACC LTD in seventies at the research station in Thane.
For the last hundred years, in cement manufacture, the materials that I have manufactured are an excellent case study, which I would like to share with you.
I was working in research and development group of ACC LTD where with the cooperation of my research heads, I got the opportunity to develop new methodology and various kinds of products to lay roads which are cheaper, fast and durable. I will mention the names of people who are responsible directly or indirectly for this work. While I was busy in the development, I was introduced to various technologies from different people on different occasions, whose mention I am making in the following contributions of the scientists. Mr. Sondur then working for MBT introduced fifth generation admix carboxyl ether which has helped me to make the concrete mix workable in less, water to cement ratio. Dr A.K.Chatterjee concrete technologist ex-director ACC LTD author of many books in nineties in collaboration with Materials Research Laboratory (MRL USA ) started working on new generation cementitious material namely on chemically bonded ceramic(CBC). I had the opportunity to work with Dr Rustom Roy, Dr. Dela Roy, Prof Barry Smith from whom I have learnt the concept of packing density, which I am using in my work. And to our surprise because of the admix and improvements in material packing, I could make the concrete whose compressive strength is of the order of 1500kg/cm2 to 2000kg/cm2 the formulation of mix to achieve properties like ceramic metal became possible Then Mr. A.K.Pathak, President ACC LTD though typical production person transfer to research and consultancy directorate as if sent by some power to lead research team. He saw the commercial potential in work on CBC and because of corrosion, erosion, abrasion resistant properties used in liners in pipes and bents as liners we named it DRC-densified reinforce composite. The product has replaced conventional cast basalt used as liners. We have developed about ten products based on these applications and today the company manufactures it and supplies such cement to thermal power and chemical plants. Mr. Mittal ex-ACC employee, working with Benani cement, wanted to put slag dryer for their Benani cement plant in Dubai. We used our resistant DRC material which is it not different from conventional thinking of using the new material which has been used in market. I have completed that job with help of Pakistani people, which is an example of professionalism. We have used modified concrete of 25mm layer on damaged bituminous road. While we were working on this DRC material, Mr A.K.Pathak president saw the commercial potential of it and we started making roads for Bombay Municipal Corporation The product called ACC MARG was launched and at many sites we successfully used this product. With our limited manpower, we undertook projects in Surat and made the Surat city pothole- free. Further, we developed concrete with high early strength which has helped us opening the traffic on the road within merely three days. Then came Mr. K.D.Lala chief engineer Thane Municipal Corporation, unaware of the potential of ACC MRAG, in spite of the risk of failure, allowed me to experiment the product which has today become successful and the road is in service for last three years in Thane city. Then under the leadership of Mr.Suhas Mehta of SMC infrastructure , he has made possible alternative to concrete road. The product was placed first time in Ghantali lane, Thane city. With the initiative of the Thane municipal corporator while working I have faced many pedestrian asking me tough question They first concrete road ready to next day for traffic was a dream to them They started believing when they walked next day for traffic.
Then came the another chapter Mr. Bongirwar retired secretary of PWD and advisor to many concrete roads dams and bridge pushed the product to Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yogana PMGSY and promised them to give the concrete road in bituminous cost. The mix is developed by author at marginally higher cost than conventional bituminous road and ready to apply village road
In the process Mr. Suhas Dhuri of e-cube consultants, evaluated all the samples and provided valuable suggestios from time to time. Such assoaciation make it easier to convert my research and developement into commercial sucess.
The then minister of gram sadak yojana (PMGSY) sent me to the chief engineer of this project in Maharashtra and what a surprise he took the major lead to implement this technology. Today we have received the permission to start on an experimental basis the concrete road from central government. The villagers who were deprived of road will get opportunity to progress. The dream of common man has come to some extent near to reality.
Few common man reactions
First pedestrian:How is it possible concrete road of 100mm thickness and that to with out removing the old bituminous road ?
Second pedestrian : reflecting on a road in their locality, made their mind full with positive thoughts and responded that the road is so good even if I think of spitting on the road one, will think twice, finally not do it.
Third pedestrian
The old man was happy because of fast work He could walk next day with no trouble.
Fourth one
The people from Rabodi, Thane were reluctant to have the road in their area. Their negative thinking turned into positive and started appreciating the development work. Thanks to local leader of locality to convince the product to Rabodi people.
Each person whom I have mentioned above was an expert in their respective fields of working. But all has helped me to develop above mentioned product.
Is it not strange to meet all scientists at required time to go at higher step? I have given you the link of the videos of the concrete road which are cheaper and faster
• MVI_3807.AVI- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFbZYfSaPl8
• mvi_4522.avi- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9uyYNGF3Dg
• http://www.youtube.com/user/vilasdes#p/a/u/0/b9uyYNGF3Dg
• UTWTThane- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQqFk2Zwjdc
