PUNE: The Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) has suggested ‘white topping’ technology for building pothole-free roads in Pune, at a private seminar held in the city on Thursday.
Former principal secretary PL Bongirwar stated the importance of white topping technology and said, “White topping technology gives durability, increases the load-carrying capacity and minimises the risk of potholes. Though it is costly at the initial stage, but when we compare expenditure on road maintenance and repair as compared to other road techniques, the cost is not too much. These roads do not need repair and maintenance for at least 20 years.”
During the discussion at the seminar, it was revealed there are 1,000 km roads constructed with white topping technology in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane and other major cities in the country.
In Pune, a total of 1.8 km road made from this technology exists in Ideal Colony. The Pune Municipal Corporation is also using it for narrow internal roads to avoid frequent maintenance.
According to Pune Muncipal Corporation Road Department officials, the corporation is using the technology from 2002 in city areas.
This technology has reduced maintenance and repair costs of most of the roads they said.
WHAT IS WHITE TOPPING TECHNOLOGY?
- It is Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) overlay on an existing bituminous pavement. The purpose of an overlay is either to restore or to increase the load-carrying capacity of the existing pavement. It also restores the ride-ability of the existing pavements that have suffered rutting and deformations.
- This overlay acts as a long-term alternative for the rehabilitation or structural strengthening of roads.