Even after BBMP’s orders asking engineers to follow a nine-step methodology for filling potholes, potholes are filled with construction debris without proper pressing.
By Riya Sharma
Bengaluru: Potholes on Harlur Road, Dinne Anjaneya Swamy Road and in areas of Kalyannagar, and HRBR layout have been patched shoddily without placing any traffic control devices or cutting out the defective area and removing loose materials.
“All engineers have been instructed to strictly comply with the nine-step methodology for filling potholes as specified by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)”, according to Technical Assitant, Viresh.
“These potholes are dangerous. They lead to road accidents and still, no seriousness is shown by contractors while patching up the roads”, said Ojas, a resident of Bellandur.
The guidelines for the nine-step methodology for filling potholes include placing traffic control devices around the pothole to guide the traffic and sweeping away the loose materials of the pothole and marking the area using chalk to a rectangular/square shape.
This is supposed to be followed by cutting out the defective area from the centre to the sides and it is to be made sure that the cut down is done up to a stable layer below and that the verticle sides are ensured during cutting.
Prof. M N Sreehari, advisor to Government of Karnataka in Traffic, Transportation & Infrastructure, said, “The Field engineer should see that all loose and fine material from the pothole area is blown out using compressed air, before taking up any asphalting work. Manual cleaning is not efficient and is hence prohibited.”
“The groundwork and the paperwork of the BBMP is very different. They are fixing roads in front of the houses of politicians and have forgotten the rest of the roads in the city”, he added.
“I have only once seen such an elaborate method of filling potholes in HSR Layout, everywhere else potholes are just filled with a mix containing construction debris and left to dry without any proper pressing,” according to Gaurav, a resident of Kormangala.
BBMP Deputy Chief Engineer, A S Umesh said that every field engineer is following the nine-step methodology to patch potholes.
“Action will be taken against the contractors who are not following the guidelines”, he said.
“It is the Field Engineer’s responsibility to be present at the site and make sure that the contractors are following the guidelines and ensure that the work is done scientifically”, Prof. Sreehari added.
