Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijit Bangar has instructed that under the ongoing road concretisation project within the limits of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, final works like thermoplastic marking, reflective road markings (Cat’s Eyes), directional signs (Signages), traffic safety signs (Road signs), junction grid markings at intersections should be completed immediately and traffic should be started on the relevant roads, as well as the area should be beautified.

Bangar has suggested that along with conventional concreting, the ‘Ultra Thin White Topping’ (UTWT) method should also be adopted wherever possible.

White Topping method used before May 31 deadline

The implementation of the cement concrete road project is going on effectively in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation area. Micro planning has been done to complete the cement concreting of the roads before 31st May 2025. A specific date has been fixed for the completion of the work of each road.

Under this, the roads that have been completed are Shrimad Rajchandra Gyanmandir Marg in Ghatkopar (East), Shivsruthi Marg in Kurla (East), and the cement concreting work of roads at Vidya Bhavan Marg in Ghatkopar East and Sanghani Estate Marg in Ghatkopar (West) was inspected by Bangar on 29th April night.

Concreting of Shrimad Rajchandra Gyan Mandir Marg in Ghatkopar (East) has been done under Phase 1. The work of filling the expansion joints on the road with asphalt has started at this place.

It is necessary to keep the expansion joints formed due to joint cutting done in the concrete road safe and flexible by filling them with appropriate chemicals.

Due to temperature changes, concrete roads undergo expansion and contraction. Therefore, expansion joints are placed between two slabs to prevent cracks in the concrete slab.

Joints used to keep roads strong, durable

These joints play a very important role in keeping the road strong and durable. Although bitumen is used in these cracks, now a better alternative is to use ‘silicone sealant’. This liquid chemical is flexible and can withstand temperature and pressure. Therefore, after the concreting of the road is completed, the expansion joints in the slabs should be properly filled with silicone sealant so that there are no cracks and fissures.

While M40 grade concrete is used for conventional concreting, M60 grade concrete is used for white topping. Also, in conventional concreting, the lower layer needs to be re-laid. However, in white topping, if the original asphalt layer is good, then there is no need to re-lay it.

Also, the curing period is 14 days in conventional concrete method, while in white topping, it takes 7 days. Overall, the work is done faster in white topping method. Also, it costs less than the original concrete.

Assistant Professor Solomon Debbarma of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Mumbai), Deputy Chief Engineer (Eastern Suburbs) of Roads and Transport Department of the Municipal Corporation, Mr. Sanjay Sonawane and representatives of the Quality Control Institute were present during the inspection.