BMC's Novel Approach to Repair Potholes in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to tackle the issue of potholes on mumbai's roads with a new approach this time with using quick concrete. The approach involves the use of Rapid Hardening Concrete and Reactive Asphalt technologies, which the BMC tested in a preliminary study last year during the monsoon season.

In this method, the potholes need to be carved into geometric shapes, which will then have a Defect Liability Period of at least three years. Potholes pits will be carved into a specific shape before concrete is put into them and allowed to set, taking six hours for the road's surface to become uniform.

Last year in August, BMC issued an offer to patch potholes using the same technology and DLP for 15 months, but received no responses.

Out of 2,050 km of roadways in the city, 990 km had already been concreted. While, the work has has been commenced on 610km road of the remaining 1,060 km asphalt roads. However, the last 450 km will be done in the next phase.

The BMC has started planning hiring pothole patching companies in advance after last year's experience. The BMC has requested bids and design requirements from contractors and will then issue work orders through tenders. The BMC has asked owners of RMC plants with both Reaction Asphalt and Rapid Hardening Concrete technology to respond to their advertising.

The BMC has requested interested vendors to submit their proposals including design, specifications, methodology, logistical assistance, and pricing within the next two days. Additionally, the BMC has requested vendors to provide a free on-site demonstration of their technologies at various locations across Mumbai.

BMC invited five separate tenders worth INR 5 crores on July 29, 2022. One tender was for the city, one for the eastern suburbs, and three for the western suburbs. Pilot tests were conducted using Rapid Hardening Concrete and Reaction Asphalt technologies on Wadala roads. The contractor was to receive 50% of the payment upon completion of the work and the remaining 50% after the defect liability period, both as specified in the tender agreement. The defect liability period was set at 15 months. Only one bidder had submitted a bid for a single tender.

The use of quick concrete is a novel approach to patching potholes in Mumbai. The BMC hopes to use this approach to improve the longevity of pothole repairs. The BMC's novel approach involving the use of quick concrete could lead to a significant reduction in the number of potholes on the city's roads. The BMC has been working on concreting the city's roadways, with 450 km of road concretisation remaining.