Panchkula MC to use modern technology for patchwork

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, December 2

The Panchkula Municipal Corporation will soon start using a specialised automatic pressurised injection patch repair machine, jetpatcher, which uses modern technology for repairing roads.

“The technology will help the Municipal Corporation save both time and money. The work carried out by the jetpatcher also lasts long,” said civic body officials.

A sample repair work using this technology was carried out in the Industrial Area, Phase 2, here, today. It was observed by Commissioner Dharamvir Singh and other senior officials of the civic body.

Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal said: “It takes less effort and time to fix potholes. Using this technology, we can also save money as compared to the traditional methods.”

Unlike a conventional hot mix machine, this machine can fix potholes at any time during the year.

MC officials said these machines could be used during rain or peak winter season. Its pollution-free component also allowed its use when pollution level was high.

“At present, departments can only carry out road construction or repair work between February and May as well as September. We cannot carry out road repair work in June, July and August due to rainy season. In January, the temperature is too low for initiating bitumen-related work. With the new technology, it will be possible to ensure potholes are filled as soon as these are noticed,” an official said.

The machine uses a high-pressure spray hose for proper cleaning of the surface. It then sprays a mix of aggregate and cold asphaltic emulsion to fill potholes or patches. Finally, a layer of emulsion is blown into the laid patch to seal the surface and prevent any water percolation in future.

The civic body has already floated a tender to empanel an agency that will maintain all roads under its jurisdiction by using this new technology to fill potholes.

Sample repair work

Sample repair work using this technology was carried out in the Industrial Area, Phase 2, on Thursday. It was supervised by Commissioner Dharamvir Singh and other senior officials of the MC.

How it works

The machine uses a high-pressure spray hose for proper cleaning of the surface. It then sprays a mix of aggregate and cold asphaltic emulsion to fill potholes or patches. Finally, a layer of emulsion is blown into the laid patch to seal the surface and prevent any water percolation in future.

Less effort needed: Mayor

It takes less effort and time to fix potholes. Using this technology, we can also save money as compared to the traditional methods. — Kulbhushan Goyal, Mayor