Need a refill

Ranchi, Nov. 27: The state may have finally found a solution to potholes on roads and national highways.

The road construction department would use a bituminous brickette-like product manufactured by Shell, a world leader in the petrochemical sector. The ready-to-use material, Shellmac, once poured into the potholes and pressed, withstands wear and tear for the next three to five years.

Shell representatives had given a demonstration of the product a few days ago on potholed roads near the state secretariat (project building).

“The company officials claim that once the admixture is poured into the potholes, the road would become ‘pothole-free’ for next five years. We are assessing the product and are in the process of getting a feedback from other states where it has been used,” said road construction secretary K.K. Khandelwal, who seemed concerned over the condition of the state’s highways.

However, a section of the officials apprehended that the product would cost almost three times the existing bituminous mixture that is used for filling the potholes. Moreover, they believe, Shell is making an effort to market its product here.

At present, the state government and contractors purchase bitumen from state-owned undertakings like Indian Oil Corporation Limited.

But considering the condition of many stretches under over 1,650km of National Highways and over 6,000km of state highways, authorities are willing to give Shell a chance.