Pothole woes for Mumbaikars to continue

Mumbaikars’ pothole woes are likely to continue for this monsoon. Even though BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has spelt out a series of measures to improve the condition of city roads, they are all long-term and will start only after monsoon. He did not specify any immediate measures to deal with the chronic issue, which means Mumbaikars will have to bear with the pothole problem this year as well.

Replying to the debate on the pothole issue in the BMC house, Mr Mehta agreed that there are shortcomings with the city’s pothole filling technologies – cold-mix and hot-mix. There are some complaints about the quality of cold-mix material, whereas dry spell is needed for hot-mix to be effective, he said.

“The BMC had issued tenders thrice for pothole filling works, but there was no response from contractors. Hence, the task was assigned to civic officials, who are carrying out repair works earnestly. We have given more stress on quality control works, with one sample from every five roads being submitted to vigilance department for checking. In addition to this, the use of paver blocks has also been stopped from this year,” he added.

Mr Mehta claimed that there is a drop in the number of potholes this year.

In 2015, there were about 1,500 potholes by this time, but this year despite having 35-40 per cent average rainfall there are only 411 potholes, of which 343 have been attended so far. “Action will be taken against civic officials, if they are found negligent in pothole filling works,” he said.

Saying that junctions are the main problem for the poor state of roads, the civic chief assured that restoration works of 123 road junctions would soon be undertaken. Tenders for works of 369 roads have been issued and their work would also start after monsoon. In addition to this, the works of 376 roads, whose works had stopped during monsoon, would also restart, he said.

“Repair and restoration works of about 1,000 roads would be undertaken from October 1. We will ensure that they are quality works,” said Mr Mehta.

The BMC would also charge penalty for the utility companies, who would apply late for trenches works. “There is no co-ordination between utilities, due to which road works are affected. If they apply for permission before September 15, they will be charged at the basic rate. If applied before October 31, they will be charged seven per cent penalty and if before November 30, they will have to pay a 15 per cent penalty on basic rates,” said Mr Mehta.

The BMC has also planned to collect the expenses for filling potholes from the MMRDA, which has handed over its roads to the civic body. The charges for pockmarked roads of the MMRDA, whose defect liability period is not over yet, would be collected from them, said Mr Mehta.