Karnataka - Mangalore   

Pothole-filling a sham: expert

MANGALORE: Citizens often find that potholes on roads appear year after year in the same spot despite the Government spending a large sum of money on their repair.

The Indian Road Congress (IRC), the premier technical body of highway engineers in the country, which suggests improved methods of construction, operation, and maintenance of roads, has set standards for pothole filling. But retired superintending engineer of the Public Works Department K. Basavarajappa pointed out that standards were hardly adhered to. He blamed the casual approach to road repair for the reappearance of potholes at the same spot.

The IRC recommends removal of all loose material from each pothole. “The area shall be cut/trimmed either with jackhammers or hand tools such that the defective material responsible for the failure is all removed and the excavation is of a regular shape,” it says. It emphasises the removal of all failed material until the root cause of the failure is removed. Mr. Basavarajappa said this was never done.

The edges of the excavation shall be cut vertically, the specifications say. “The area shall be thoroughly cleaned with compressed air… to remove all dust and loose particles.Layers below the level of the bituminous construction shall be replaced using material of the equivalent specification to the original construction, which shall particularly include the specified standards of compaction.” The sides are to be painted with hot tack coat to ensure better bonding of the material being added.

The IRC further expects that the mixture to be used in bituminous patching shall be either a hot mix or a cold mix. Mixing shall be done in a plant of suitable capacity. Suggesting proper compactions, the IRC seeks that the mix shall be spread slightly proud of the surface while laying final layer so that after rolling, the surface shall be flush with the adjoining surface.

It insists that the replacement material be of at least as high a standard as that which was specified during road construction.

Mr. Basavarajappa said that road contractors were asked to fill only the top layer (2 cm) of potholes. “They sprinkle a few stone pieces like you pour puffed rice in a plate and level it with tar,” he said.The resultant road is porous and water enters in it easily. It will open up when vehicles move on it. Also to blame are use of low quality tar and inadequate heating of the bonding agent, Mr. Basavarajappa added.

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