Innovative Blue Road in Bengal is a Game-Changer in Tackling Summer Heat!

Get ready to be amazed by a dazzling blue road that cuts through the picturesque green farmlands in the South Damodar region. This groundbreaking project has captivated the attention of infrastructure engineering experts. Designed to cool the surface and beat the relentless summer heat, this extraordinary road stretch is set to create a refreshing oasis in the sweltering landscape.  Recorded temperatures of 43.8 degrees Celsius accompanied by high humidity in certain areas of East Burdwan during this summer season prompted the need for such a project. The 350-meter stretch of road in Raina, leading to a canal bridge, has been coated with a 1 mm blue pigment extracted from non-biodegradable plastic waste. Unlike traditional black-topped roads that absorb heat, this "blue road" reflects a certain degree of heat, thanks to technology transferred from Dubai. Engineers associated with the All India Roads Association facilitated the technology transfer. The road was inaugurated by the state Panchayat and Rural Development Minister, Pradip Majumdar, at Uchalon Panchayat in Raina 2 block. Minister Majumdar expressed his appreciation for this remarkable initiative, highlighting its positive impact on the environment and the reduction in construction costs compared to conventional bitumen roads. He explained that shredded plastic is mixed with molten bitumen as a substitute, reducing its use by 10% and enhancing water resistance. This blue road serves as a pilot project, and the plan is to extend it to every district in the state in phases. Similar trials using this technology have taken place in Doha, Qatar, Los Angeles, USA, and Japan, particularly in areas with intense heat and humidity. The introduction of blue roads, designed to reflect heat rather than absorb it, offers a solution to the issue of excessive heat absorption by conventional tarmac or concrete roads. This technology has already been implemented in cities like Chennai, Jamshedpur, and Agartala, but the Raina road in East Burdwan demonstrates a more cost-effective alternative. As this stunning blue path illuminates the landscape, the future of road construction takes on a refreshing and sustainable hue.