After potholes, it is now uneven, crumbling bumpers that are leading to bumpier rides for motorists
After potholes, it is now uneven, crumbling bumpers that are leading to bumpier rides for motorists
That the city streets are pockmarked with the ubiquitous potholes is old news. But adding to the unevenness of the terrain and making rides for Mumbaikars even bumpier are the crumbling speed breakers, which have been falling apart owing to the inferior quality materials used by the civic body. 
Falling apart: The speed breaker at Carter Road is crumbling to bits.
BMC officials claim that repair work will be undertaken only when the
monsoon ends, as bitumen corrodes in water. Pic/Satyajit Desai
MiD DAY decided to visit different locations in the city to inspect the condition of the speed breakers, to find them in deplorable condition, the material fragmenting, causing them to collapse.
The speed bumps of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Parel, Carter Road and Bandstand in Bandra, and Link Road in Andheri, were found to be in dilapidated condition, wearing out and assuming a granular appearance.
"A mixture of asphalt and bitumen is used to make speed breakers at the ward level. During the rains, the bitumen disintegrates, and the granules start falling apart, causing the bump to corrode," said an assistant engineer from the maintenance department.
MiD DAY had earlier reported that the civic body was hard at work trying to make the dimensions of the speed bumps uniform across the city, ('Sena cub roars, BMC complies,' Jan 21) Pooja Mohite, a media professional said, "Its bad enough that the potholes have been giving us back aches regularly. But the speed breakers in the city are adding to our woes."
BMC's take
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of F (South) ward H Kale, who is responsible for the maintenance of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, said, "We did not construct speed breakers at the stretch. But I will surely send the maintenance department word to take a look at them. If we find it necessary, we will definitely repair the speed bumps."
Assistant Municipal Commisioner of K West Ward R Pawar, in charge of the Andheri Link Road, said, "The bump may have suffered wear and tear, as they are quite old. We will repair them after the monsoons."
Assistant Engineer of Maintenance department at the H (West) ward N Sakpal said, "Repair work done in the rains would not last very long, as the bitumen will not hold."u00a0
BMC's Chief Engineer for roads, bridges and traffic S Badve said, "The task of repairing the speed bumps and making them uniform across the city is already in progress. We had issued several circulars to remind ward level officials to rectify and repair them according to the IRC norms. We have issued notices to contractors."
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