The Hindu 13.09.2013
Contractors to dig deep into pockets to blacktop city roads
About 20 contractors who failed to ensure the quality of
roadworks in the city have been asked to repair them at their own
expense.
The contractors have agreed to begin repairs next month and complete it before November-end.
“They
have been served notices by the Kochi Corporation holding them
responsible for the poor quality work,” said Soumini Jain, chairperson
of the Works Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation.
Taking
responsibility for roads developing potholes shortly after work,
contractors agreed to repair them when weather conditions became
conducive, she said. The contractors had been told that the corporation
would not fund repair works as the roads were damaged within the
guarantee period. “None of them objected to the notice; all have agreed
to re-tar roads at their own expense,” Ms. Jain said.
The
poor quality of roadworks had invited the public’s wrath which found
resonance in corporation council meetings. Cutting across party lines,
councillors demanded action against erring contractors. Some even called
for blacklisting the contractors. Some roads were damaged within weeks
of repairing them, which resulted in public outcry against contractors.
Ms.
Jain said the temporary filling of potholes was carried out in all
possible areas. “Repairing the roads using wet rubble will be a futile
exercise as it will not remain in tact with bitumen, and will come off
the road quickly. Hence, the works will have to wait till the rain
recedes and dry weather prevails,” she said.
At the
same time, the contractors complained to the civic authorities that the
failure to provide at least 48 hours’ time for the repaired road to
settle was affecting the quality of work. Vehicular traffic was allowed
on freshly laid roads within hours of re-laying them, they said. The
bitumen and rubble used would be removed as vehicles sped through the
roads, they complained.
According to Ms. Jain, it was
not possible to block vehicular traffic along freshly re-laid interior
roads as roadworks were progressing on some of the major roads.
Moreover, there would be increased vehicular pressure on city roads
during various festival seasons making it difficult to completely block
traffic, she said.
