By Norrasyidah Arshad
SHAH ALAM, Sept 10 — Pothole repairs in the state are set to be expedited with the use of the newly procured RM1 million Jetpatcher from the United Kingdom.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim said the hi-tech machine only needs 15 minutes to patch a pothole, compared with over an hour with conventional methods.
He added that the Jetpatcher could be used during light rain and requires minimal manpower to complete repairs at each site.
“Typically, repairing a pothole requires a team of 15. The process involves cutting the hole to size, drying it, and then applying the patch. Rain can delay repairs by several days.
“With the new method, just two people are required to operate the Jetpatcher and two more to manage traffic. The machine can patch approximately 80 holes in a single day if used continuously,” he said at the launch of the Mega Road Resurfacing 2024 project today.
Izham said the new machinery delivers superior results and higher-quality patches than traditional methods in the construction and maintenance industry.
He added that the Jetpatcher is designed with environmentally friendly features and emits less carbon, which aligns with the state’s commitment to sustainable development goals.
“This machine produces hot patching material, which ensures a solid and durable road patch. This results in improved quality and a more appealing finish.
“Starting today, the machine will be used to patch roads around Kuala Selangor. There are 15 trainees who will operate the machine under the supervision of representatives from the UK. If the results are satisfactory, we plan to purchase additional units,” he said.
