After exploring various technologies, debating the pros and cons of using hot mix and cold mix technologies to fill potholes, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is now trying yet another technology using cold mix on a pilot basis.
Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy inaugurated the project by filling a pothole at Basaveshwara Circle here on Friday.
All-weather
The new technology — Shelmac PR, an instant all-weather pothole repair solution, is a product of Shell Bitumen and is offered by Ladwa Safety Solutions Pvt. Ltd., an authorised franchisee.
After filling the pothole, Mr. Murthy told reporters potholes had appeared on most arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city following rain.
The pilot project would be implemented in the Shivajinagar constituency, especially around the Vidhana Soudha.
BBMP’s Engineer-in-Chief B.T. Ramesh said Rs. 50 lakh had been released to fix potholes using the new cold mix technology offered by two companies, Shelmac PR and Hincol, a subsidiary of Hindustan Petroleum.
N.T. Rudrappa, manager (production), Ladwa Safety Solutions Pvt. Ltd., said the cold mix sets faster and the road can be opened to traffic immediately. Other than being resistant to water erosion, it also has high skid resistance. “The repair area requires no pre-treatment and needs only simple equipment such as hand brushes, shovels and rammers.”
Traffic holdup
However, while the Mayor was busy filling the pothole, traffic was held up at the busy junction, especially affecting Racecourse Road and Palace Road.
After arriving 45 minutes late in the afternoon, the Mayor offered prayers to the pothole, the cold mix, the implements (shovels and others) before going ahead with filling the rut.
It didn’t help matters that curious motorists slowed down to get a glimpse of the goings on.
