The Gujarat cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, has decided that internal roads in all Municipal Corporations and Municipalities will be constructed using cement concrete (CC) rather than asphalt. The move is intended to address the recurring problem of road damage during the monsoon and to provide surfaces that withstand heavy rainfall and waterlogging. The government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani said the decision reflects a long-term infrastructure strategy to reduce disruption to citizens.

The cabinet also decided that asphalt roads in village settlements prone to waterlogging will be gradually converted to CC, and construction of such roads is already under way under the Suvidhapath Yojana. The use of CC will be expanded in industrial areas that experience heavy and extra-heavy vehicular traffic where required. A government release set out the operational focus and staged implementation across urban and rural local bodies.

Vaghani noted that construction costs for CC roads are generally 30 to 40 per cent higher than for asphalt, but the chief minister prioritised long-term public benefit over immediate expenditure. The administration has therefore accepted higher upfront costs to secure durable, high-quality infrastructure that is expected to serve for many years. Officials indicated that reduced frequency of repairs will lower recurring maintenance budgets over time.

Cement concrete roads are significantly stronger and have a longer service life than asphalt and are better suited to continuous movement by heavy, overloaded and multi-axle vehicles. They require minimal maintenance and repairs, which should reduce long-term expenditure on road upkeep and virtually eliminate recurring problems such as potholes and damaged surfaces. The material also performs effectively in areas receiving heavy rainfall and in locations prone to waterlogging. The decision is intended to strengthen road infrastructure across both urban and rural areas and to provide citizens with safer, more durable roads.