Using quarry dust to fill potholes is not a solution, say experts

BBMP move termed an attempt to silence critics

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) plan to fill potholes with quarry dust, instead of taking a permanent measure to close them, has been questioned by experts who termed the temporary steps an attempt to silence critics.

The use of quarry dust is at best a temporary solution to fill the potholes, said Ashish Verma of the Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning, Indian Institute of Science. “Good roads cannot be maintained unless they have proper structural qualities and cross slopes to flush the water to the side. There must also be proper storm-water drains on the side,” he said.

Mr. Verma explained that stagnant water on roads strips bitumen which holds the aggregate together. “The roads have to be of proper thickness to take the load of the vehicles,” he added.

While experts and BBMP officials differ on the best method to fill potholes, it is the hapless citizens who suffer, said Waseem Memon, who runs the ‘Wake Up Bengaluru’ page on Facebook that focuses on civic issues. “The filling up of potholes with quarry dust is only a temporary measure and what we need is a permanent solution,” he said.

However, BBMP officials defend the usage of quarry dust. “Quarry dust is heavier and settles better than sand and stones. Once the rain subside and the dust is dry, we will remove it and refill the pothole with crushed stones and a layer of bitumen. Quarry dust will again be put on top of the bitumen layer. This will level it and ensure that the bitumen layer is not worn off,” an official said. Meanwhile, the traffic police, tired of waiting for the BBMP to repair roads, have taken it upon themselves to do the job.