Civic body explores new technology; increased manpower and rigorous planning applied for effective repairs
BMC repairing a road in Santacruz on July 24. File pic/Satej Shinde
While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) claims to have repaired more potholes than last year, there's a contradictory assertion that the number of potholes is increasing due to repairs being conducted on roads managed by other authorities. The BMC has repaired a reported 54,000 potholes this year and is now looking into using mastic asphalt for repairs. They've allocated R36 crore to five agencies, each responsible for a specific zone, to implement this approach, covering areas like Colaba, Fort to Byculla, and Mumbai Central.
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Following criticism from the Bombay High Court about potholes, BMC Chief I S Chahal initiated a review of the repair efforts. It was decided during a meeting that 227 sub-engineers will be appointed for each electoral ward to expedite pothole repairs. Presently, 75 engineers are supervising the repair work. Additionally, dedicated teams with vehicles will patrol expressways and open highways daily during the rainy season.
Before the monsoon, BMC allocated R84 crore for pre-monsoon patch repairs and monsoon pothole repairs. Currently, BMC employs Rapid Hardening Concrete (RHC), Reactive Asphalt (RA), and cold mix techniques for pothole repair. However, mastic asphalt is the new approach, supported by appointed contractors. BMC states that using RHC and RA poses technical and cost challenges. RHC must be utilised within three hours after leaving the plant, a constraint in Mumbai's traffic conditions. While RA is effective, its higher cost makes it viable primarily during wet spells.
Additional Municipal Commissioner P. Velrasu attributed the surge in potholes to increased digging manpower and rigorous planning. Potholes are systematically addressed through independent planning, inspections, and surveys. Extensive pre-monsoon repairs and resurfacing have also occurred, along with repairing potholes on roads managed by other authorities.
54,000
No. of potholes repaired this year
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