Repaired potholes resurface again
Potholes have once again emerged at the spots that were repaired by contractors last year, reflecting the sub-standard quality of the material used.
The BMC, which has been facing flak for the rising number of potholes on roads, has been using cold-mix technology since last year for pothole-filling. However, the new technology too has proved to be a failure as contractors are found using sub-standard material for the repair work.
According to civic officials, there are more than 210 pothole spots in the city, which were repaired last year using the cold-mix technology. But the same potholes are back this monsoon, raising a question mark over the effectiveness of the technology.
The BMC this year has earmarked `58 crore for the pothole-filling exercise.
However, civic officials said this amount won’t be used for repairs as these potholes are coming under the defence liability period (DLP).
“The contractors who filled these potholes last year will have to repair them again free of cost. No reimbursement will be made to them,” said a senior civic official.
So far, 170 of the potholes under the DLP have been repaired. We have asked contractors to repair other potholes at the earliest, he added.
In a recent study carried out by the civic body, it was found that material used in at least 25 per cent of potholes was of inferior quality. The BMC has now decided to increase the fine for each pothole from `1,200 to `4,000, if a pothole resurfaces again at the same spot.
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