KOLKATA: To preempt a bumpy ride through crater-riddled E M Bypass during the monsoon, the KMDA has taken up repair work on the 17km stretch from Garia to Ultadanga, which has already sprung at least a dozen potholes, some gaping and some still small. Hoping that the patchwork would not be swept away in the downpours, the authorities have decided to use the cold mix method, a pretty common practice in other parts of the country though relatively new in the city.During a drive along Bypass, TOI spotted several potholes, at least 12 of them, on both flanks from Garia till the Hyatt crossing, especially at Patuli, Kalikapur and the Ruby crossing.A trial was carried out on Thursday night near the Science City crossing, where two potholes were filled with modified cold mix material. Now, full-fledged work is set to begin from the Garia-end of Bypass; the repairers will get down to filling the potholes from around 10 at night and continue till early morning, when the traffic volume is the lowest. “Maintenance work of EM Bypass is a continuous process. A cold mix bitumen material will be used to fill the potholes,” said a KMDA traffic and transportation sector official.The KMDA authorities have chosen the cold mix method, which, they said, was not only pollution free but could also be followed even when it rained. The method was also cost-friendly and took less time to finish, officials said. Sandipon Bose, quality control head of Jalnidhi Bitumen Specialities Pvt Ltd, who is providing technical assistance to KMDA, has appointed contractors for the job. Bose pointed out in hot mix, the bitumen is mixed with an aggregate, which is heated for some hours before being laid out. “That method is not only time-consuming but the diesel-run generators also create pollution. The hot mix can’t be laid on the roads during rain,” Bose said. “The initial cost of using modified cold mix material is a little higher than that of hot mix, but it is a more convenient and efficient method. A semi-solid material is mixed with an aggregate and laid down instantly. The bitumen is mixed with polymar, which makes a difference.”Bose pointed out the cold mix method was an environment friendly technology, which helps a contractor save about 30% to 40% of the cost. “With cold mix, about 1km can be covered a day. It needs fewer labourers than the 20-25 hands required to cover only 150m a day with hot mix,” he said.

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