CRATER MUMBAI Potholes back in Bandra after light rain

Mumbai: From the potholetracking system to cold-mix, the BMC has tried out different technologies to make Mumbai's roads crater-free. But nothing seems to work. 

    Even before the monsoon could gather momentum in the city, contractors have started repairing stretches that have already been fixed. Reason: the work has been washed away after light spells of rain. 
    As complaints of shoddy work pour in, experts have questioned the manner in which the contractors have carried out their job. 
    TOI did an audit of six roads in Bandra (W), which have been repaired at least once over the past week, on Monday along with corporator Asif Zakaria. A sum of Rs 4 crore has been earmarked for pothole repairs in H-East and H-West wards. 
    One of the stretches audited was 32nd Road, located off Linking Road near National 
College. According to a roads department official, the contractor fixed the entire stretch on Friday, but a drizzle was enough to undo the work. The road witnesses heavy traffic due to the educational institutions in its vicinity. On Monday, granular materials could be found on the road. 
    Similar is the condition of the 16t^h and 24th roads. The roads have already been repaired twice. "These are long, important roads that should have been taken up earlier for repair. The materials start coming out when a little pressure is applied with one's leg. Officials have been saying that the work done by the contractor does not seem to last. Apparently, they have been penalized," said Zakaria. 
    At the junctions of the 37th and 35th roads, the corners have been repaired but the central portion—which is also in a poor condition—has been left out. 
    N V Merani, chairman of the standing technical advisory committee, said: "When new materials are used, it is essential that they are thoroughly checked. Besides, they should also be properly laid, which means that the edges of apothole should be cut properly. Apart from carboncor, we haven't given our nod to any other technology yet."

ROUGH RIDE 
(From above) Potholes have reappeared on this road near Rizvi Complex after a few light spells of rain; the condition of 16th Road, near Guru Nanak Park, is no better