The Indian Express             29.07.2013 

BMC looking at new methods for filling potholes

BMC plans to use US-based technology to detect potholes and cracks on roads, test pavements, and identify utilities below the ground.

"The technology will be used on an experimental basis and if it is successful, it will be implemented to fill potholes and strengthen the road network," said Rahul Shewale, Shiv Sena corporator and standing committee chairman.

An official said the technology will be mounted on a vehicle with multi-positioned cameras, a ground penetrating radar and GPS. It will detect and record potholes, cracks or any uneven surfaces on roads. The details will be automatically get recorded. The mechanism also involves an automatic system of fining and billing contractors.

"The vehicle can be driven across city roads to check the quality of roads. The software will also log details on city maps. This will make it easy for civic officials to fill potholes and ensure accountability in the system," said Shewale.

A senior civic official said the new technology would cost them Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

The technology will also help maintenance and repair in other departments, such as sewer and water repairs and street-widening programmes, said Ashutosh Bhatnagar, partner, Blue Ocean & Solverra.

Meanwhile, the expensive jet patcher machines BMC bought five years ago are lying idle. BMC had purchased three machines for spot repairs of potholes from Crafco for Rs 78 lakh each. The machines were supposed to fill potholes within hours while conventional pothole repairs take 48 hours. BMC spent Rs 68 crore on the repair and maintenance of the machines, but engineers were unable to use them due to technical glitches — narrow roads and shape of the potholes.