Mumbai: BMC finally finds hi-tech pothole fix

Potholes were fixed on the Parel-Byculla flyover last year. File Pic/Ashish Raje

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to acquire an infrared road repair machine for addressing potholes. A decade ago, BMC acquired jet pitching machines, which ultimately remained unused for pothole repairs. Currently, BMC has initiated a tender process to obtain an infrared road repair machine. According to BMC officials, this technology has proven successful in Pune and Bengaluru, ensuring precise pothole filling. Moreover, it's anticipated to significantly reduce the time required for repairs.

"We need to fill asphalt-based material into the machine, which will then clean the damaged surface and fill it with asphalt automatically. Additionally, it will not create bumps on the road like manual repairs. We have invited tenders for a two-year operation and 1-year extra maintenance after the defect liability period. That is why we haven't estimated any costs," officials said. According to reports, BMC procured 3 Inject pothole patching machines in 2009, which sparked controversy as BMC spent more than R60 crore, but these machines were never used to their full capacity.

Every year, BMC introduces new methods to repair potholes during the monsoon. This time, BMC is using mastic asphalt for pre-monsoon repairs. Also, during the monsoon, BMC will use hot mix and cold mix asphalt. In the last 14 years, BMC has used around five various technologies for pothole preparation, such as jet patching machine technology during 2009-10, Austrian and Israeli asphalt mix, rapid hardening concrete, and reactive asphalt. For pre-monsoon work, BMC mainly uses hot mix asphalt. Additionally, for pothole repair, hot mix and cold mix technologies are traditional. Cold mix asphalt is mainly used if there is continued rain, officials added.

5
No of technologies BMC used ove the years

14
No of years BMC has experimented with pothole fixes