Mumbai: Mumbai can expect lesser potholes this monsoon as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has manufactured 1,435 metric tonnes (MT) of cold mix - the material used to fill potholes.
The BMC’s road department has already distributed 1,274 MT to all 24 wards in the city.
The BMC this time has made two different types of cold mix: one for dry spells and one for wet spells towards better sustainability.
Since two years, the BMC has been using the cold mix during the monsoon to fill potholes as it dries faster.
However, instead of importing it, the civic body decided to manufacture it itself at the Worli plant.
As per records, as of March 2, the BMC produced 1,036 MT cold mix for use during wet spells, of which 927 MT has been distributed to the wards.
While, 399 MT cold mix was produced for dry spells, of which 346 MT has been distributed.
The BMC has a total 161 MT of cold mix in balance for both wet and dry spells.
A senior officer from the BMC’s road department said, “The potholes will be filled at the ward level. The cold mix for wet and dry spells has been produced differently this time, although the quality remains the same, the quantity of materials used differs. The mix for dry spells can be used on non-rainy days of the monsoon or through the year whenever it is sunny.”
However, not all corporators support BMC’s decision to use cold mix. SP group leader Raees Shaikh said, “The cold mix is a big failure. When it does not sustain during monsoons, what’s the point in using it? The standing committee has opposed its usage and the administration is going against the committee’s stand.”
