CM hints at nexus between civic officials, contractors

Reiterating that the state was committed to fixing the pothole menace, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the situation would improve by next year.

Reiterating that the state was committed to fixing the pothole menace, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the situation would improve by next year.

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Speaking at the Indian Merchants' Chamber on Thursday, Chavan acknowledged that bad roads were a serious problem, and needed a scientific solution.

"This year, the asphalt used to fill potholes or surface the roads did not get time to settle, due to the rains. Many newly-laid flyovers developed potholes because of this," he said.

Chavan voiced his skepticism about contractors bidding 30-40% below the base cost.

This, he said, either meant that the contractors knew their work would not be inspected, or that they got the inspections (done by officials) "managed".

"To tackle this, we need to rope-in a third party to inspect the roads," he said.

Chavan also said that the situation would be better next year.

"Innovative technologies and materials like polymer-based roads and carboncor, using new machines, would be employed, for laying better roads."

He added that quality control laboratories would also be in place soon.