The Gujarat government has taken strong action against poor road conditions by introducing a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for repairing potholes. This comes after the alarming collapse of the Gambhira bridge in Vadodara on July 9, which raised concerns over road safety across the state. The government aims to fix the issue of dilapidated roads and has already repaired over 15,500 potholes within a week, up to July 18, across eight major municipal corporations.
The SOP applies to all 17 municipal corporations in Gujarat. It includes several important measures to ensure road repairs are carried out effectively and efficiently. Each municipal corporation must conduct daily surveys of roads. Engineers will be tasked with identifying and documenting any damage. Residents are encouraged to report potholes and other road issues through various channels. These complaints will be logged in a designated register and addressed according to the guidelines.
If minor potholes are found, they must be repaired immediately. For more severe damage that causes significant disruption to traffic, repairs must be completed within 48 hours. Engineers are required to upload photographs of the completed work within 72 hours to ensure accountability.
M Thennarasan, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development department, emphasized the need for uniformity and quality in the repair work. He stated, “To ensure uniformity, quality and time-bound repair work with accountability, SOPs have been laid for the municipal corporations.”
The SOP also outlines specific procedures for repairing potholes. First, the damaged area must be barricaded for safety. Engineers will reshape and clean the potholes before applying materials. Cold asphalt or emulsion is to be used on clean surfaces. If the damage requires thicker repairs, multiple layers of hot mix must be applied and compacted.
Innovative methods, such as Cold Emulsion Injection Pothole Patching and Infrared Recycling Pothole Technology, are recommended for better durability. After the repairs, the roads can be reopened to traffic two hours after being treated with stone dust.
This initiative is part of a broader “damage control” campaign led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The government has also penalised several contractors and civic engineers for previous inaction. Notices have been served, and some contractors are now required to cover the costs of the repairs themselves.
As of mid-July, Vadodara had repaired over 4,500 potholes, making it the top city in terms of repairs, followed closely by Ahmedabad with around 4,300. The government hopes this aggressive approach will improve road safety and reduce public anger over the state of the roads.
The SOP marks a significant shift in how the Gujarat government handles road maintenance. It is a clear message that the era of negligence is over. Residents can now expect timely and quality repairs, making their daily commutes safer. With the monsoon season approaching, the urgency for these repairs is more critical than ever, as waterlogged roads often hide potholes, leading to accidents and injuries.
Overall, the new SOP represents a proactive step towards enhancing road safety and infrastructure in Gujarat. The government’s commitment to maintaining roads is expected to restore public confidence and improve overall transportation conditions in the state.