GCC to procure 260 tonnes of bituminous cold mix ahead of Northeast monsoon

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The pothole on Thanikachalam Road was repaired temporarily using wet mix, says Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to procure 260 tonnes of bituminous cold mix at an estimated cost of ₹59.41 lakh to fix potholes on bus route and interior roads across all its 15 zones. The procurement comes ahead of the Northeast monsoon, amid complaints about damaged roads and delays in road relaying work.

The tender for the procurement was published on September 15.

Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar questioned the use of cold mix for road repairs. He said the material often failed to provide a lasting solution. He suggested that the GCC award annual, zone-wise road maintenance contracts covering identified damaged roads instead.

“Wastage is high while procuring cold mix materials. The Chennai Corporation previously had its own unit for proper bitumen mixing, which was dismantled. Contractors are not applying the mix correctly. Instead of cleaning the pothole, applying a bitumen layer (tar), and then filling it, they are simply dumping the mix directly into the potholes, which fails to hold,” Mr. Kumaar further said.

The Deputy Mayor said a zone-wise annual maintenance arrangement, similar to that followed for electrical works, would enable contractors to attend to potholes, road cuts, and other damage throughout the year.

“Instead of piecemeal patch jobs, the Corporation should adopt an Annual Maintenance Contract model similar to the one followed by the State Highways Department. Contracts should be awarded per zone or ward to handle all road cuts, damages, and general maintenance for the year,” he said.

He cited the condition of Thanikachalam Road, where he said his car fell into a pothole recently, following which wet mix was used for temporary repair. He also referred to the damaged stretches on Jones Road, Jafferkhanpet Road and several interior roads.

According to the GCC’s Roads Department, patches arising from road cuts and rainwater inundation were repaired using bituminous cold mix, cement concrete, and hot mix.

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