"Using the technology, I constructed an 80-metre portion of the 24-km Pabna-Paksey road six months ago...and so far no cracks developed on the road," said SM Shafiqul Alam, sub-divisional engineer of the R&HD.

He said roads made by cement do not require maintenance frequently as needed by those constructed by bitumen and thus use of cement can reduce cost.

The technology is widely used in many developed countries, he informed the seminar organised by Holcim (Bangladesh) Ltd, a leading cement manufacturer, in Dhaka.

At present, the country has about 22,000 km carpeted roads, including highways, regional roads and feeder roads. Almost all the roads are built with bitumen.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, R&HD Chief Engineer SK Rabiul Islam and Holcim (Bangladesh) Managing Director Ramit Budhraja also spoke at the function.

The minister said the government will use the technology in its future road construction projects if it is found beneficial.

Edwin Petrie, a London-based expert who has 30-year experience in cement-based technology, made a presentation on 'Use of Cement in Road Stabilisation.'

According to Petrie, the technology reduces deflection of roads, prevents ingress of moisture and improves shear strength of the road.

Sharing his experience of building cement-stabilised roads in Australia, he said Bangladesh could be benefited through applying the new concept. "But before that a lot of research should be conducted," he argued.

Holcim MD Ramit Budhraja said his company's cement has been used in constructing Jamuna, Bhairab and Paksey bridges. The proposed Rupsha Bridge will also be built by Holcim cement, he added.