Pune is set to establish two new hot mix plants to address the city's growing need for asphalt in road construction. One of the plants will be located in Shindewadi, while the search for a second location between Warje and Sus is underway. Each plant will cost approximately 4.5 crore rupees.
The city has 1,400 kilometers of roads within its old limits and 600 kilometers in newly incorporated areas, all requiring asphalt. The existing hot mix plant in Yerawada produces around 450 tons of asphalt daily but is frequently out of operation due to its age, delaying roadworks.
Covering 518 square kilometers, Pune faces challenges in transporting hot asphalt from Yerawada to distant areas like Katraj, Warje, Sus, and others.
The municipal corporation has been searching for additional hot mix plants and has secured one location in Shindewadi, with several options in the western part of the city under consideration. The cost for each new plant has been approved, and the tender process will soon begin.
Yerawada Hot Mix Plant Shutdown
Due to the shutdown of the Yerawada hot mix plant, the work of filling potholes is progressing slowly. The administration is attempting to fill potholes using cold mix asphalt.
Major roads and areas such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Road, Dandekar Bridge, Mhatre Bridge in Navi Peth, Dhayari, Narhe, and various suburbs have large potholes.
On the Katraj-Kondhwa road, filling potholes with gravel has resulted in muddy conditions, causing accidents among two-wheeler riders. With the hot mix plant in Yerawada out of operation, the supply of mixed asphalt has ceased, impacting the pothole repair efforts.
The road department has filled 8,472 potholes and repaired 252 chambers in the past five months, according to Superintendent Engineer Sahebrao Dandge.
