GBA Chief Commissioner pushes new curing technique for white-topping works

Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao has mandated the use of geotextile sheets or curing blankets in place of traditional gunny bags for concrete curing on a 100-metre section of white-topping work, aiming to enhance the quality of road construction. The directive came after an inspection of ongoing white-topping projects under the Bengaluru North City Corporation on Friday. Rao emphasized that quality standards must not be compromised and that all projects must adhere to scheduled timelines. Rao visited multiple locations including Amruthahalli Main Road, Jakkur Railway Overbridge (ROB), Jakkur Road (Raitha Santhe Road), Allalasandra Road, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar Road, and 20th Cross in Sahakaranagar. At Amruthahalli Main Road, where an 800-metre white-topping project is underway, half of which is already completed, Rao urged officials to start footpath construction immediately alongside the remaining road work. He also highlighted the need for sufficient turning radii at intersections to facilitate smoother traffic flow and requested the installation of CCTV cameras on all project roads for continuous monitoring. At Amruthahalli Main Road, Rao noticed a structure suspected of encroaching on a footpath and ordered an inspection of the site, followed by issuing a notice to the property owner and removing the unauthorized construction. On Jakkur Road (Raitha Santhe), he directed officials to relocate existing overhead optical fibre cables into underground utility ducts within 15 days and to coordinate with the Joint Commissioner concerning Transferable Development Rights (TDR) associated with road expansion efforts. At Allalasandra Road, Rao advised against using heavy machinery for excavation near underground utility lines, opting instead for manual labor to avoid damaging cables and accelerate progress. He also instructed officials to clean up debris along Rajiv Gandhi Nagar Road as part of the Freedom from Waste initiative set for August 1, and to erect “Namma Bengaluru” and “I Love Bengaluru” signboards at empty lots. During his inspection of the Jakkur Railway Overbridge, Rao ordered non-destructive testing of the bridge’s structure and its components. He also requested confirmation that the crash barriers meet Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards and directed officials to perform quality and compaction tests on the asphalt used on the flyover ramps. Rao's directives reflect a comprehensive approach to improving infrastructure quality while ensuring timely completion of projects. His focus on modern materials such as geotextile sheets indicates a move towards more efficient and effective construction practices. Additionally, his emphasis on coordination with other authorities and adherence to safety standards underscores a commitment to both public safety and urban development. The implementation of these measures could potentially lead to improved durability and performance of the white-topping works, benefiting long-term infrastructure maintenance. Officials have been tasked with executing these instructions promptly, highlighting the urgency placed on enhancing current construction methodologies. As the projects proceed, the outcomes of the pilot program involving geotextile sheets will be crucial in determining future adoption of this technique across larger segments of the city's road network.