BDA invites tenders for road works in NPKL using soil stabilisation method; residents raise quality concerns

BDA invites tenders for NPKL road works amid resident concerns over soil stabilisation method's quality and durability.

Even as concerns persist over the quality of earlier road works in Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL), the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has already invited bids to construct internal roads in the remaining blocks using the soil stabilisation method.

Soil stabilisation is a technique in which the existing soil at the site is strengthened instead of being completely removed and replaced. The soil is mixed with aggregates and additives to form a firm base layer, which is then compacted. Once this base is prepared, an asphalt layer is laid on top to create the final road surface. While the method is recognised in engineering practice, several residents have questioned its durability, particularly during the monsoon, claiming that earlier stretches developed cracks and weakened within a short period.

According to BDA officials, the proposed works this time will cover 9-m, 12-m, and 15-m-wide internal roads across six blocks in the layout. The project is estimated to cost over ₹10 crore.

Residents, however, say experience has left them sceptical. “We have already seen what happened in the earlier blocks where the soil stabilisation method was used. Within months, cracks started appearing, and in some stretches, the surface began to wear out,” said Mahesh B.R., a resident. “When we are paying such high site costs, we expect durable roads, not methods that require constant patchwork”.

He added that the BDA should first conduct an independent quality audit of the roads already laid and make the findings public before proceeding further.

Shreya Nagaraj, another resident, said, “For years, we have been raising complaints because many roads have barely been usable. During the monsoon, some stretches turned slushy, making it risky even to walk or ride a two-wheeler”. She said the authority should prioritise fixing existing problem areas and engage with residents to understand the ground-level issues before taking up fresh works.