VMC launches infrared machine to fix potholes, uneven roads in city

The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) has launched an advanced ‘Infrared Road Repairing Mobile Machine’ a.k.a. ‘Road Doctor’ to fix potholes and uneven roads in the city and also reduce pollution.

The machine, priced ₹1.48 crore, was procured through the 15th Finance Commission grants for the corporation. Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath, East MLA Gadde Rammohan and VMC officials flagged off the machine at Guru Nanak Colony.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sivanath pointed out that the machine, sanctioned for the city under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), will play a key role in improving city roads and reducing pollution.

According to a press note from the corporation, the machine reduces carbon emissions by up to 98% as it does not require traditional methods where tar was heated at very high temperatures to lay roads.

The MP said while the city was sanctioned a grant of ₹25 crore under the NCAP, proposals have been sent seeking an increase in the grants to ₹32 crore and NCAP officials have promised to do so. With more such machinery, road conditions and sanitation can be improved in the city, the MP said.

Mr. Rammohan said more such advanced machines will soon be brought to the VMC, and a system is being established to ensure that potholes are repaired in 15 minutes.

Additional Commissioner (Projects) D. Chandrasekhar, Chief Engineer (In-charge) P. Satyakumari, Superintending Engineer (Works) V. Chandrasekhar, Executive Engineer G. Samrajyam, Deputy Engineers, Assistant Engineers and others participated in the programme.