Almost 50 per cent of the 20-km stretch of the National Highway 66 passing through Alappuzha town, which was re-laid recently, has become “deformed” and non-motorable giving rise to doubts about the workmanship, quality of work, and the materials used.
The stretch was re-laid under the supervision of the Public Works Department (PWD) Alappuzha division at an estimated cost of Rs.20 crore. The work was part of the relaying of the 300-km of NH stretches by the PWD NH wing. The work was executed by a firm based in Kasaragod district.
The worn-out road stretch poses a risk to the lives of the motorists. Official sources told The Hindu that only 50 per cent of the 20-km stretch of the 300-km re-laid across the State had become “deformed”. The firm had already been informed about the poor condition of the road, which has one-year performance guarantee.
As per the contract awarded, a 25-mm BC layer was to be given to the stretch and this should have lasted a minimum of three years. Bitumen is sprayed on the existing road surface before the hot mixture that reaches from the plant is spread and rolled.
The preliminary inspection by the PWD officials has revealed that the thickness of the BC layer provided by the contractor was only around 15 mm.
Doubts have been raised whether bitumen was sprayed properly and the parameters fixed for retaining the temperature of the hot mixture in the plant, transportation, and laying had been met.
Five times rolling is prescribed and it appears like it had been bypassed to save money, sources said. A perfect rolling would bind the materials and ensure the stability of the road, it was pointed out.