BMC goes hi-tech with imported bitumen to fill potholes during monsoon
Don’t be surprised if the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has not yet started repairing potholes before the monsoon or if the bad road conditions are set straight even during the rain.
This is because apart from its usual ongoing work of road repairs before the showers, BMC has made preparations to make Mumbai roads potholes-free even during the monsoon, thanks to Israel and Austrian tech.
Every year, pothole-roads have caused immense political outrage in which authorities ultimately get the flak for slow pace of work, indecisiveness and all forms of charges.
This year, officials of the BMC’s road department decided to have clean image and imported hi-tech bitumen mix to fill the potholes.
“As soon as the potholes emerge on BMC roads in monsoons, it will be repaired with Austria and Israel imported mix,” Sanjay Darade, Chief Engineer of BMC road department said.
Darade remarked the importance of this imported technology is that it can withstand heavy showers. Earlier, BMC used cold mix to fill potholes which was unable to withstand in heavy rains even for a few weeks.
He said, “The mix can be put into the potholes even if it is filled with rainwater. Around 19 tonnes of the mixture has been purchased from these two countries and will come in Mumbai in two phases. The first shipment of the 19-tonne mixture will arrive in Mumbai by June 22 and will be stored at the BMC asphalt plant.
“Along with imported technology, a sum of Rs. 50 lakh each has been earmarked for 24 wards to fix the potholes,” Darade said.
Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar had promised that the citizens will not suffer from pothole roads in monsoons as BMC is ready with technology and funds too. “But if at all potholes are found on Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) or on Public Work Department (PWD) roads, the entire responsibility will be of the state government,” he said.