Pune:The PMC standing committee on Thursday approved a proposal worth approximately Rs14 crore for the direct procurement of petroleum-based raw materials, including bitumen, to ensure uninterrupted operation of its batch mix (hotmix) plant in Yerwada. The move is aimed at accelerating pothole restoration across the city.“The decision will speed up road repair works and pothole filling during the ongoing monsoon season,” said Srinath Bhimale, chairman of the standing committee.According to PMC officials, the Yerwada facility supplies asphalt mixture daily to all 15 ward offices and the central road department. A continuous supply of raw materials—including bitumen (VG-30 grade), light diesel oil (LDO), emulsions (RS-1 and RS-2), cold mix, and thermic oil—is essential to run the plant in two shifts throughout the year.Under the approved proposal, bitumen, LDO, and thermic oil will be purchased directly from state-run oil marketing companies, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). Emulsions and cold mix materials will be sourced from Hindustan Colas Pvt Ltd.The standing committee also set an Aug 15 deadline to open the Kharadi–Keshavnagar bridge to commuters. Members noted that while the main structure over the Mula-Mutha River is complete, orders have been issued to finish the 700-metre approach road on the Keshavnagar side by mid-Aug.The bridge is expected to provide significant relief to IT professionals and residents in Kharadi, Mundhwa, Keshavnagar, Magarpatta, Hadapsar, Wagholi, and Vadgaon Sheri, where traffic congestion is severe. The project, undertaken on a public-private partnership (PPP) model at a cost of Rs23.2 crore, was initiated three years ago.In a push for better sanitation, the committee greenlit Rs90 lakh in prize money for a ward-level cleanliness competition. Ward offices will be evaluated on 10 parameters, each carrying 10 marks for a total of 100.The criteria also emphasise environmental upkeep, such as the restoration of water bodies, public toilet management, beautification of “garbage vulnerable points,” and e-waste collection at reduce, reuse, recycle (RRR) centres.Wards will also be graded on their enforcement of punitive measures against offenders and the implementation of innovative sanitation practices. The highest-scoring ward will receive a top prize of Rs50 lakh, while the second and third-place winners will be awarded Rs25 lakh and Rs15 lakh, respectively.
