Getting the authorities to repair potholes may soon become easy — just take a photo on your smart phone and upload it on the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike’s website (www.bbmp.gov.in).
BBMP Commissioner Rajneesh Goel told presspersons here that the civic body was coordinating with Keonics for the development of an Android-based mobile application for pothole reporting and management with tracking through GPS (Global Positioning System).
“Citizens and BBMP officials can upload the location of a pothole through smart phones. The BBMP server will send a message to the engineer concerned, who will be able to locate it with the help of GPS. The complainant has to provide his or her mobile number or email id. After the pothole is repaired, a message will be sent to the person who reported the location,” he said.
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According to an official from Keonics, the application could be downloaded free by Android-enabled smart phone users. This software would be ready on November 1.
With this system, the BBMP hopes to monitor the status of work and extract reports periodically. The system would also have a GIS (Geographical Information System) map interface for locating the pothole for further monitoring and timely repair. This system would be a first of its kind and will make pothole management more transparent.
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With the condition of roads deteriorating soon after they are asphalted, the BBMP would make it mandatory for contractors to maintain the road for a minimum period of three years, Mr. Goel said.
In this regard, the tender conditions would be made stringent and the responsibility would be fixed on the contractor. He said that defect liability for one year and maintenance period of two years would be included in the tender contract.
Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy said the BBMP was mulling over procurement of “asphalt zipper” machines to fill potholes. “This machine can be used to fill potholes on major roads during the night so as to not disrupt vehicular movement,” he said.
Plastic
The BBMP will soon make it mandatory to use at least 8 per cent plastic with asphalt while laying roads. While effectively addressing the disposal of plastic waste in the city, this will also help increase the life of the road.
Plastic waste collected at the various segregation and dry waste collection centres across the city could be utilised for laying roads. “This will be made mandatory. We will also urge the engineers in the Bangalore Development Authority and the Public Works Department to do the same,” Mr. Goel added.