Claiming that the preventive road maintenance works it carried out last year before monsoon helped bring down the number of potholes, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to repeat the formula this year as well.
According to the corporation, 38,000 potholes were reported in 2013, which were reduced to around 14,500 in 2014.
This year, the works which BMC plans to carry out ahead of monsoon are estimated to cost Rs37.83 crore. The maintenance works concerned are over and above the budgetary roads improvement programme the corporation undertook during the ongoing fiscal.
"A bad road becomes worse when it rains heavily in Mumbai. So, the roads department is identifying the problem areas now. The department will take necessary steps to reduce the number of potholes or ensure less trouble for motorists on roads," a senior official said.
The BMC has floated tenders to carry out works in seven zones: two each in the island city and eastern suburbs and remaining three in the western suburbs. It plans to commission maintenance works during April and May so that city motorists are able to negotiate the roads smoothly during monsoon.
"We are seeking response for the tenders. Once we receive response, we will select the lowest bidder. After that the proposal will be put forth before members of standing committee for their approval," the official added.
The corporation, however, will have a separate fund for pothole-filling, the official added.
In 2013, the civic body had allotted Rs28 crore for carrying out preventive road maintenance works, plus an equal amount for treating potholes reported during monsoon.
Why maintenance is important?
If a bad patch of road remains unattended, then water seeps into its cracks during monsoon. If water remains accumulated, then the strata beneath the upper surface weaken, and subsequently the size of pothole widens. Hence, the bad patches or entire road is resurfaced.
Funds for works
Island city: Rs7,62,19,400
Western suburbs: Rs21,00,00,000
Eastern suburbs: Rs9,21,73,300
Total: Rs37,83,92,700
Past records
In 2014, BMC's pothole tracking system (www.voiceofcitizen.com) reported 14,451 potholes
In 2013, the system reported a total of 38,587 potholes
In 2012, the tracking system reported 25,620 potholes
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