MORTH Norms Violated in Stone Matrix Asphalt Use, Scam Suspected

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Works Department’s decision to lay mastic asphalt on roads in at least ten locations across the capital city has sparked controversy. Experts and citizens alike are questioning the necessity of using this costly material, suspecting irregularities in the project execution.

MORTH Guidelines Overlooked in Asphalt Use

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) had previously issued guidelines stating that Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) should be used only in areas where frequent road renewal is not possible due to high congestion or lack of diversion routes. Additionally, MORTH had advised that bitumen mastic is an expensive material and should not be used as a routine practice.

Despite these clear instructions, the Odisha Works Department has opted for SMA in Bhubaneswar, where traffic is primarily composed of cars and four-wheelers, and most road maintenance is carried out at night, ensuring minimal congestion. Experts argue that the choice of SMA in such areas raises serious doubts about the department’s intent.

Unjustified Costs for Minimal Durability Gains

Road engineering experts point out that:

• A regular bitumen road lasts around five years, while mastic asphalt roads last six years.
• The marginal one-year increase in durability does not justify the significantly higher costs.
• SMA is typically used on National Highways (NHs) and bridges, where heavy vehicles, like trucks, frequently travel and cause high wear and tear.

The decision to use this high-cost material in Bhubaneswar’s city roads appears unjustified and wasteful.

Doubts Over Contractor’s Qualification

Sources reveal that the agency responsible for the SMA work has no prior experience in NH construction. Additionally, the technical qualifications of the contractor were reportedly not evaluated before awarding the project.

A road engineering expert further stated that SMA is mainly used on highways, bridges, and intersections where sudden braking and heavy loads require superior shock absorption. Its use in urban roads, without assessing traffic patterns, waterlogging issues, and future maintenance challenges, indicates serious procedural lapses in project planning.

Who Will Be Accountable for Road Damage?

Frequent road digging by agencies like TPCODL, BSCL, BSNL, and WATCO for utility services raises another concern:

• If these newly laid high-cost SMA roads are damaged, who will bear the responsibility?
• Will Works Department officials, including the Secretary, EIC, and Chief Engineer, be held accountable?

Corruption Allegations and Call for Vigilance Probe

The violation of MORTH guidelines, selection of an expensive technology, and awarding of the contract to an inexperienced agency point toward possible corruption. Experts believe there is a nexus between department officials and contractors, with kickbacks suspected in the deal.

To ensure transparency, experts demand a thorough vigilance probe to investigate the financial irregularities and identify those responsible for the questionable project execution.