PCMC to launch unique road survey to tackle potholes and enhance urban infrastructure

Pimpri: ।In a major move to address the persistent issue of potholes and ensure smoother roads across the city, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will soon launch an innovative road survey project. This initiative will use automated technology to assess road conditions, identify pothole-prone areas, and prioritize necessary repairs. The data collected will be integrated into the PCMC’s Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, enabling efficient tracking and targeted maintenance to prevent repetitive pothole repairs and improve the overall quality of the city’s road network.

The city’s road network, spanning approximately 1700 km, will undergo thorough evaluation through visual inspections and structural assessments, ensuring that preventive maintenance measures are identified and prioritized. The surveys will be conducted annually for three years, with the first report expected in November 2024 to aid in the PCMC’s budget planning for road repairs and upgrades.
PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “This initiative marks a major milestone in PCMC’s commitment to providing well-maintained and safe roadways. By using automated technology and GIS-based systems, we can ensure timely interventions, optimize budget allocations, and fix accountability on both contractors and officials for the quality of road construction.”
As part of the survey, key parameters like potholes, cracking, and rutting will be recorded, and the data will be used to generate annual maintenance reports. A GIS-based app will also be developed to monitor the progress of pothole repairs, helping avoid repetitive work at the same locations.
City Engineer Makarand Nikam added, “The use of advanced technology for road assessment will allow us to improve the efficiency of our maintenance efforts. This project will provide accurate, real-time data on road conditions and enable us to tackle problem areas before they escalate.”
The consultancy assignment for this project requires firms with significant experience in urban road maintenance management and automated road surveys. This initiative is a crucial step toward improving infrastructure, enhancing road safety, and elevating the standard of living in Pimpri Chinchwad.

PCMC’s road survey and maintenance project: Key Highlights
1. Total Road Network:
1700 km of road surveyed annually
Road widths between 3 m to 61 m

2. Automated Road Survey Features:
Visual inspection for cracks, potholes, rutting, and structural integrity
Data collection for budgeting and maintenance planning
Roughness and structural evaluation as per IRC guidelines

3. GIS Integration:
All collected data updated on the PCMC GIS platform
Development of a GIS-based app to monitor pothole repairs

4. Project Duration:
3-year survey project (2024-2026)
Annual maintenance report submitted by November

5. Expected Outcomes:
Improved road safety and infrastructure
Optimized budget allocations based on real-time data
Prevention of repetitive maintenance work