The Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) is batting for concrete roads over bitumen roads owing to the savings due to the near zero maintenance costs and longer life of the roads. Initial costs for a cement road are about 20 per cent higher compared to bitumen roads. In case of the concrete roads, it costs about Rs 1,400-1,500 per sq m and Rs 1,100-1,200 for bitumen roads. According to Indian Roads Congress, a bitumen road has to be topped at least once every five years, implying that the road needs to be re-laid four times in a period of 20 years. However, the frequency in actual situations is higher.