Bengaluru Road SOPs Ignored in Pothole Repairs, Say Experts

Bengaluru commuters continue to face hazardous conditions on pothole-ridden roads as civic authorities and contractors routinely bypass standard operating procedures (SOPs) for road repairs, according to traffic experts and former civic representatives.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has established step-by-step SOPs following Indian Road Congress (IRC) guidelines for laying roads and filling potholes, but experts noted that the core issue remains poor implementation and enforcement. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda previously questioned GBA engineers on recurring road damage and suspended an engineer after discovering substandard asphalt thickness and proportion in Sampangiram Nagar.

Traffic expert Prof MN Sreehari explained that the IRC SOP requires cutting the pothole into a regular shape, clearing dust, applying a tack coat, filling it with bitumen, and completing the process with rolling. However, these steps are rarely adhered to on ground.

Former BBMP Leader of Opposition NR Ramesh pointed out that every road in the city includes a Defect Liability Period (DLP). Under these rules, contractors are legally responsible for rectifying defects for two years on 40mm roads and one year on 20mm roads. Ramesh alleged that contractors frequently use substandard materials that wash away during rains and fail to properly shape potholes before filling them.

Former BBMP Taxation and Finance Committee Chairman Manjunath Raju highlighted the need for mandatory third-party audits before releasing payments to contractors. Raju noted that the civic body has historically focused on the number of potholes filled rather than preventing recurrence, urging authorities to track potholes using location coordinates and ensure strict adherence to IRC road construction standards.