June 19, 2025: Mumbai’s motorists know all too well the annual return of potholes as soon as the rains arrive. Roads that appeared freshly surfaced just weeks ago now show cracks and craters, drawing public ire and renewed scrutiny. Experts from the Central Road Research Institute (CSIR) and the Indian Road Congress point to long-standing structural flaws — from poor drainage to subpar materials — that continue to plague the city year after year.
According to Professor Manoranjan Parida, Director at CSIR-CRRI, the key cause of pothole formation is water infiltration. “Rainwater seeps into minor cracks and weakens the structural layers beneath the surface. Combined with traffic load, ageing bitumen, poor construction, and pre-existing fissures, this leads to rapid deterioration,” he explained. Factors such as inadequate pavement thickness, poor soil conditions, and construction during wet spells worsen the problem.
Girish Jaysing Arekar of the Indian Road Congress added that temperature fluctuations cause expansion in summer and contraction during the monsoon, producing micro-cracks. These expand under rain and traffic stress, resulting in sudden surface failures.
Urban expert Jagdeep Desai of the Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai stressed the need for multiple, well-compacted layers in asphalt construction. “There must be a damp-proof membrane above compacted rubble, followed by a proper sub-base and the asphalt surface,” he said. Skipping these steps, or conducting rushed repairs during wet weather, leaves roads vulnerable.
Clogged drainage compounds the issue. With silt and waste blocking outlets, water remains on roads for days, weakening the asphalt bond. Civil engineer Biju Augustin noted, “Prolonged saturation, traffic stress, and untreated foundations all contribute to recurring failures.”
Experts call for pre-monsoon inspections, durable materials, and strict quality checks. Unless Mumbai adopts long-term, systemic solutions, its pothole problem will continue to resurface — every monsoon, without fail.
Source: Urban Acres
