Shabby Work by NHAI fixing Potholes with Thin Layer of Tar, has been like Making ‘Neer Dosa’?

Shabby Work by NHAI fixing Potholes with Thin Layer of Tar, has been like Making ‘Neer Dosa’?

Shabby Work by National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) workers since couple of days fixing Potholes in Kulshekar & Shakthinagar, with Thin Layer of Tar has been like Taj Mahal restaurant cook Making Neer Dosa?

Mangaluru: Following close on its heels after frustrated citizens of Mangaluru along with members of MCC Civic Group had held a silent protest in front of Mangaluru City Corporation building on 30 September; then later a solo silent protest was held by Arjun Mascarenhas, joined by couple of other members of MCC Civic Group, to bring to the attention of the MCC and NHAI officials about the numerous potholed roads in the City and National Highway, saw some response from the officials, who for the past few days have been fixing the potholed roads in Kulshekar and Shakthinagar area. But are they doing the work in a systematic way- the answer is ABSOLUTELY NO?

The word for the work they are doing is called “SHABBY”, and “UNSCIENTIFIC”! In order to please the citizens of Mangaluru and the motorists doing such kind of shabby work is nothing but fooling us all. Fixing the potholes with some lose jelly stones, and pouring some tar over it, just like our cook at Taj Mahal Restaurant is making ‘Neer Dosa’ will not last for couple of days. And for that matter, due to global warming, if the City gets hit with a strong rainfall, all the patch work will be washed away. So why are these goofs wasting tax payers/citizens by doing such a shabby and unscientific work, which is a total waste of time, energy and above all, MONEY!

Even though modern technologies are there to fill potholes, our NHAI Smart officials/workers are using the primitive method- loose jelly mixed with cement/tar to cover gaping potholes. The result seemed to be quite hazardous for motorists using the entire stretch of the road. Some of the patched spots have already sunk deep, when heavy vehicles passed over them, and already in few places, the cement/tar mixed jelly has been destroyed by the heavy traffic. People riding on two wheeler and driving light vehicles gave perplexed looks at the shabby work of the potholes. So why is nobody from the department supervising how the work is carried, instead of sitting in their dept cabins, and trusting on contractors/laborers work.

A few members, including Roopan Fernandes of MCC Civic Group, who happen to see the work going at Kulshekar by NHAI, and the work going on at Shakthinagar by MCC, decided to submit a memorandum/letter on the pathetic and shabby work at both the locations to the Deputy Commissioner. The Copy of the memorandum/letter is as follows-

To, Deputy Commissioner Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru.

Subject: Non Compliance to Potholes Patch up Standard Operating Procedure Respected Madam, Intentional and deliberate violation by the CONTRACTOR by not remaining compliance to standard operating procedure for filling / patch up of the potholes.

Location: Stretch of Kulshekar Road, Mangaluru

Following are the major observations:

1. No proper cleaning of the potholes-

The road pothole preparation cannot be executed with wire brushes. As it is difficult to reach crevices and edges of potholes and also to main consistency in the brushing work because of dust that is raised and the whizzing vehicles around the place of work, not to mention the sun and the scalding road surface. Therefore superior contractors use power blowers using piped high pressure hoses so that no loose dust remains for suitable bonding between the fresh bitumen with the base layer.

2. No edge preparation:

Outer edge or periphery must be square or contour cut to maintain the surface anchor with the bituminous patch mix. Even this is not carried out on the deeper (more than 3 inches deep) potholes where the damage extends below the wear course.

3. No tack coat applied prior filling of the aggregate :

Aggregate used are full of crushed aggregate sandy texture which violates min 25 mm sizes of the aggregates. Deeper potholes are just dumped with the crushed aggregate without any compaction.

4. Improperly filled aggregates are not compacted and are not applied with MC 30 primer prior pouring the bituminous patch mix

5. Bellow is not followed:

”Patch mix to be poured in thickness of 3 inches (75 mm) and compacted. If the depth of pothole is more than 3 inches; compacting of every 3 inch thickness layer to be followed” 6. Sufficient amount of clean sand are not applied prior allowing the compacted top layer of patch to the traffic.

7. No Supervision and inspection available at work on site:

Foreman is not aware of the requirements and no evidence for using appropriate cutback bitumen for the patch mix Therefore we earnestly request you to investigate the matter and facilitate rework in full compliance to standard operating procedure.

Thank you,

Sincerely, Concerned Citizens & MCC Civic Group, Mangaluru. ( If required, video clips can be produced).