No mechanism to test quality of bitumen

Published On: October 8, 2016 09:03 AM NPT By: Republica  | @RepublicaNepal


BIRGUNJ, Oct 7: It has been revealed that there is no mechanism to test the quality of bitumen - a key material used in blacktopping of roads. Bitumen makes upper layer of the road smooth and also gives strength to the inner layer.

According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported 40,500 tons of bitumen in Fiscal Year 2015/16. However, quality test of not a single consignment of bitumen has been done.

Nepal imported 26,200 tons of bitumen from India alone in the review year. Similarly, the country imported 12,900 tons from Saudi Arabia, 900 tons from Singapore and 493 tons from Malaysia.

The quality of bitumen differs depending on the price. The bitumen imported from Singapore cost Rs 59.48 per kg, while the one brought from Malaysia and Gulf countries cost Rs 36 and Rs 38 per kg, respectively. The bitumen imported from India cost Rs 17 per kg only.

An official of a major construction company told Republica that India was selling low quality bitumen to Nepali construction companies. Most of the bitumen imported from India is manufactured by Hindustan Petroleum.

Pawan Gupta of Pioneer Nepal, which sells bitumen imported from Hindustan Petroleum in the Nepali market, said they have been importing only quality materials. 

Though the company claims that it sells only the bitumen produced by Hindustan Petroleum, drums of different bitumen producers was recently found in Pioneer Nepal’s store near Rampur, Tokani, of Bara. Productions of Tiki Tar of Maharasthra, India, and Jay Oil of Tehran, Iran, were found in Pioneer Nepal’s store.

“We have taken the warehouse on rent. The previous occupant might have imported bitumen from other companies,” Agrawal said, adding: “We have not imported bitumen of other brands.”

Construction entrepreneurs say that they have repeatedly drawn the attention of the Department of Roads and Department of Commerce, among other government agencies, toward the entry of low quality bitumen.

Avadesh Tiwari, former president of Nepal Engineers’ Association’s Birgunj Region, said that the quality of bitumen determine road’s load bearing capacity. Similarly, Advocate Amaya Kumar Das said that it is the responsibility of the government to maintain the quality of roads and other construction activities in the country.

“The quality of bitumen cannot be determined by the naked eye,” he said, adding: “As bitumen is a key material in road construction, the government should instruct construction entrepreneurs to use bitumen of high quality.”

Construction entrepreneurs said traders are importing low-quality bitumen is entering the country taking advantage of the lax government. Hari Narayan Rauniyar, adviser of Nepal Construction Association, said low-quality bitumen not only makes roads weak, but also raises question on the capacity of construction entrepreneurs. 

PASSING THE BUCK
Surprisingly, the government does not have any mechanism to test quality of bitumen even though Rs 5.5 billion worth of bitumen enters the country annually.

Daya Kanta Jha, head of planning and designing section of Department of Roads, said that the responsibility of testing the quality of bitumen lies with the Department of Commerce.  However, Pradip Subedi, director of the Department of Commerce, said the monitoring works now falls under the ambit of Department of Supply Management and Protection of Consumers Interest. 

Hari Narayan Belbase, another director of the Department of Commerce, said that the responsibility of testing the quality of bitumen falls on Nepal Bureau of Standard and Metrology.

However, Sanju Thakur, information officer of Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology, said they only test the quality of goods that have received Nepal Standard (NS) mark. “The quality test should be done by the Department of Roads,” she added.


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