prabhat

MUMBAI: A computerised map for utilities below roads, adopting trench-less technology and cracking down on errant contractors are the recommendations from the traffic police to tackle the problem of potholes and the frequent digging of roads.

In an affidavit submitted before the Bombay high court, which is hearing a PIL on the condition of roads, the traffic police chief has now presented some solutions for better road maintenance.

The affidavit also criticises the BMC for the shoddy manner in which it deals with the issue.

In response, a division bench of Justice R M Lodha and Justice S A Bobde has asked Vasant Gosavi, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), and Shrikant Singh, additional municipal commissioner, BMC, to hold a meeting on October 11, 2006, and prepare guidelines to resolve the problem.

Over 700 proposals seeking permission for digging up roads are received by the Mumbai traffic police in a year from public and private utilities, including BMC, Mahanagar Gas and MTNL.

In his affidavit, Gosavi alleged that despite the traffic police's advice to undertake projects in phases to avoid bottlenecks, various agencies dig up long stretches of roads and leave them unattended or fill them up in a half-hearted way.

"The agencies refill the trenches with debris instead of reinstating the roads, which either sinks or is expelled out as a hump making this part of the road unusable." Potholes too are filled with debris.

"Even if tar is used to fill up potholes, this activity is carried out during daytime giving no time for the curing process and hence potholes resurface within a day or two," claimed Gosavi.

According to Gosavi, since roads are assigned to different contractors, the junctions of arterial roads are usually left out.

Alleging that delay is the norm rather than the exception, Gosavi said work on most road projects are done in the last month prior to monsoon leading to poor quality.

It has asked BMC to adopt a "carrot and stick" policy with contractors to ensure quality of work and timely completion of projects.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...ow/2132820.cms