PWD to conduct temporary repairs

Officials say roads need certain temperature to be laid and that work can be done only after monsoon is over.

With monsoon just a couple of weeks away, Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) has started temporary repair work on roads transferred to them from the unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

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A recent study commissioned by the department had revealed shortcomings in a majority of these roads.

But what could wonder why just temporary repair work. PWD officials said the decision was taken keeping in mind that proper work on these roads will start only after the monsoon as the roads have to be laid at a particular temperature.

"As a temporary measure, we have already started repairing the roads that have been transferred from the unified MCD or else they will spell trouble for Delhi’s motorists during the monsoon. Once the rainy season is over, we will start construction work. We have asked for funds from the Delhi government for the same," said a PWD official.

Experts from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and Delhi Technical University (DTU), who had carried out a joint study of the roads, have recommended steps that are needed to be taken for strengthening of the roads.

Experts warn that the condition of city roads is likely to further deteriorate with the monsoon.

"Appropriate road material specifications, right cross slope and temperature at which the road should be laid have to be followed to ensure longevity. We have made three alternative recommendations as to how these roads should be strengthened," they added.

Apart from not undertaking specific maintenance at regular intervals that has weakened the various layers, the study has also blamed the growth of traffic for deterioration of the roads.

"The study found that there were a lot of deficiencies in the roads. A road is not just a black surface; there are four distinct layers that make a road. During the investigation, it was found that almost all the roads needed major strengthening. It seems that timely maintenance interventions following various Indian Roads Congress codes were not undertaken to match the growth in traffic, which has resulted in deteriorated road condition," said experts from IIT Roorkee.

Pointing out the deficiencies, they added, "Deficiencies were found in the thickness of the top bituminous layer and there were a lot of cracks of different types."