The State Cabinet last week approved ₹1200 crore action plan for white topping of roads in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits. Prior to that, the BBMP had proposed white topping of 43 roads, with over 35 of them located in the Central Business District (CBD) area of Bengaluru. M.G Road and Race Course Road, both of which are in good condition, were included in the list of roads slated for a comprehensive makeover. The allocated funds for this project are ₹45 crore for M.G Road and ₹13.16 crore for Race Course Road. Though the finished white-topped roads have to an extent eased traffic and reduced frequent accidents in the city, the priority given to white topping over many other pending works has not been taken well by many commuters and citizen activists.
What is white-topping of roads?
White-topping involves the removal of conventional black-top or bitumen-asphalted roads, replacing them with a layer of concrete. The durability of the concrete used is thought to be superior, aiming to prevent the development of potholes. Concrete roads, with a promised lifespan ranging from 15 to 20 years, offer durability compared to asphalt roads, which require re-tarring every three to four years. Advocating for white-topping, the BBMP started white-topping roads in Bengaluru in 2016 following the TenderSure model, asserting that it provides a long-term solution to the persistent pothole issues that Bengaluru has been facing for several decades.
