A Simple Guide for Producing and Placing

Readymade, Cold, Pothole Patching Mix in

Accordance with Indian Roads Congress
Specification IRC:116-2014

By
Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal
Associate Director Emeritus
National Center for Asphalt Technology
Auburn University, Alabama USA
pkandhal@gmail.com
Home page: www.eng.auburn.edu/users/kandhps

8 September 2018

“American roads are good not because America is rich, but America
is rich because American roads are good.” - John F. Kennedy

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The following two guidelines are presented in this document:
A. Guidelines for Producing Readymade Pothole Patching Mix in accordance with Indian
Roads Congress Specification IRC:116-2014
B. Guidelines for Placing Readymade Pothole Patching Mix in accordance with Indian
Roads Congress Specification IRC:116-2014

A. Guidelines for Producing Readymade Pothole Patching Mix in

accordance with Indian Roads Congress Specification IRC:116-2014

1. BACKGROUND
These guidelines pertain to the Indian Roads Congress Specification IRC:116-2014,
“Specifications for Readymade Bituminous Pothole Patching Mix Using Cutback Bitumen”.
This readymade pothole patching mix does not require any preparation of the pothole such as
squaring and applying tack coat; the mix is simply taken out of the 50-kg bag, leveled with a
rake, hit with a hand rammer by ordinary laborer (no roller), some light sand or grass/leaves is
sprinkled on surface to prevent pick up by vehicle tyres, and opened to traffic right away. If there
is water in the pothole, simply sweep off the extra water. The patch will outlast the adjacent road
area. The mix has a storage life of at least 6 months, so it can be prepared in advance and used as
needed to repair potholes as soon as they develop throughout the year.

Cost analyses have shown the cost of this unpatented, generic pothole patching mix is about one-
third the cost of many commercial, patented readymade mixes available in India. Cost analyses
have also shown the cost of repairing potholes with readymade cold mix is less than the cost of
repairing with hot mix asphalt because the latter is more labour intensive (squaring the pothole),
material intensive (binder for tack coat), and equipment intensive (need for roller). Moreover, hot
mix cannot be used during rainy season and extreme cold winter. Therefore, this mix can be
used throughout the year including hot summer.

This mix is also very handy for contractors who are responsible for maintaining national
highways, state highways or rural roads during the concession or warranty or defect liability
period. If there are a few potholes there is no need to arrange hot mix; take some bags of this
readymade cold mix and a labourer (with a hand rammer) in a car or pickup and get the potholes
repaired. It is also handy for filling test/survey pits made on the road for testing and also for
filling utility cuts in city streets.

This readymade cold pothole patching mix was developed by Prof. Prithvi Singh Kandhal while
serving as Chief Asphalt Road Engineer of the US State of Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation. Pennsylvania has the fourth largest highway network in the US. His R&D work
on this mix was published by the US Transportation Research Board in Transportation Research
Record No. 821, 1981. This mix has been used in the US with success during harsh cold and
rainy weather when hot mix cannot be used.

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Under the US Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), it was decided to conduct a field
performance study of some 10 different pothole patching mixes/applications in 4 different
extreme climatic regions of the US. The mix developed by Prof. Kandhal was adjudged as the
best performing patching mix in that study because 78% patches made with this mix survived
after 4 years’ service in the field. Most other patches had failed miserably to different degrees by
that time and so the field study was terminated.

Based on the successful field application of this readymade mix by the Rajasthan PWD and the
Jaipur Development Authority, the Indian Roads Congress adopted it as Specification IRC:116
in 2014. Since it is unpatented, the mix can be produced by any highway agency/contractor using
locally available materials. These simple guidelines explain how it can be done easily.

2. INCLUSION IN BASIC SCHEDULE OF RATES (BSR)

To facilitate inviting tenders for supply and placement of this readymade pothole patching mix,
the following three items should be inserted in the BSR of highway agencies such as PWD;
CPWD; BRO; MES; and cities/municipalities.
1. Supply of readymade cold bituminous pothole patching mix in accordance with IRC:116-
2014 Specifications in 50-kg plastic-lined sturdy bags with 10-km average lead. Mix
shall contain at least 5.6% MC-800 Cut-back Bitumen and suitable anti-stripping agent.
Mix shall be workable and usable for at least 6 months. All 50-kg bags shall be
transported to a storage facility designated by the Engineer. Since the mix contains
volatile kerosene, sealed bags shall not be stored in a closed building or warehouse. No
open flame or smoking shall be permitted near the stored mix.
Cost Rs. 370 per 50-kg bag

2. Placing and compacting readymade cold bituminous pothole patching mix in potholes in
accordance with IRC:116-2014 Specifications from 50-kg plastic-lined sturdy bags with
20-km average lead. Cost Rs. 23 per 50-kg

3. Supply, placing and compacting readymade cold bituminous pothole patching mix in
accordance with IRC:116-2014 Specifications in 50-kg plastic-lined sturdy bags with 10-
km average lead for supply and 20-km average lead for placement. Mix shall contain at
least 5.6% MC-800 Cut-back Bitumen and suitable anti-stripping agent. Mix shall be
workable and usable for at least 6 months. All 50-kg bags shall be transported to a
storage facility designated by the Engineer. Since the mix contains volatile kerosene,
sealed bags shall not be stored in a closed building or warehouse. No open flame or
smoking shall be permitted near the stored mix. Cost Rs. 393 per 50-kg
bag

Most highway agencies require rate analyses to support the items in the BSR. The rate analyses
performed recently for these items are given in Annexures A and B. Therefore, the government
agencies now have all the material to issue NITs (notice inviting tender).

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 3. MIX PRODUCTION GUIDELINES

Mix production consists of procurement of necessary materials; mixing operations; and packing
which are described below:

3.1 Procurement of Materials

The following materials need to be procured first: aggregate; cutback bitumen MC-800; a
suitable anti stripping agent; and 50-kg plastic-lined sturdy bags.
Aggregate: The aggregate obtained from the quarry should strictly meet the gradation given in
Table 1 otherwise the mix would not perform as expected. Typically, a 10-mm size aggregate is
suitable.
Table 1. Aggregate Gradation
Sieve size, mm Percent passing
9.5 100
4.75 40 – 100
2.36 10 – 40
1.18 0 - 10
0.075 0–2

Please note that the dust content (% passing 0.075 mm sieve) of the aggregate should not exceed
2 percent otherwise the mix will not be tacky and will not bond in the pothole and will also lose
its workability. Note that we are not applying tack coat on the pothole. The aggregate should be
angular and should meet all the quality requirements which are specified for dense graded hot
mix asphalt such as Bituminous Concrete (BC). Refer to IRC:116-2014 for details.
The aggregate should be dry before it is mixed with MC-800 Cutback Bitumen. If it is not
already dry, it should be processed through the dryer of a portable mixing plant or a drum plant.
This type of processing also helps in reducing the dust content of the aggregate if it is excessive.
CAUTION: Under no circumstances, MC-800 should be added during the aggregate
drying operation. This is because MC-800 has volatile kerosene in it, which may cause
explosion and serious accident when it is used near open flames.
Before the dry aggregate is mixed with MC-800, its temperature can range from 25 to 65℃. This
means dry aggregate need not be heated. Warming the aggregate just facilitates good mixing.

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Temperature should not exceed 65 ℃ otherwise very hot aggregate would evaporate the volatile
kerosene in MC-800 and make the mix stiff and unworkable.

MC-800 Cutback Bitumen: MC-800 Cutback Bitumen should meet BIS Specification IS:217
Specification for Cutback Bitumen. It is available in 200-liter drums on request from most
approved bitumen suppliers in India. [For information only, HINCOL and Tiki Tar are supplying
to contractors in Rajasthan. Jalnidhi Bitumen Specialties also manufactures MC-800. There are
more.] Contact your local bitumen supplier. Ask your supplier to furnish a test report showing
MC-800 meets IS:217.
Under no circumstances, MC-800 should be manufactured by government agencies or
contractors because not only it is unsafe, it also requires several tests to be conducted (especially
kinematic viscosity at 60 C) to meet IS:217 Specifications.

Anti-Stripping Agent: The readymade patching mix may be placed in wet potholes and it has to
survive during rain/freezing temperatures. Therefore, a suitable anti-stripping agent MUST be
added to MC-800 bitumen prior to its mixing with dry aggregate. There are many suppliers of
liquid anti-stripping agents which are also used in hot asphalt. [Some of the suppliers in India are
HINCOL; Petrochem; Akzonobel; Zydex Corp.; and Opal Paint. There are other others, ask your
bitumen supplier.]
Tell your supplier what type of mineral aggregate (such as quartzite; sandstone; limestone; and
granite) you are using. This is because there are numerous types of anti-stripping agents (with
their own dosage rates) which are compatible with specific aggregate types.
Try to get 2-3 types of anti-stripping agents. Conduct the following three very simple tests to
determine which anti-stripping agent is most suitable for your aggregate and how much dosage
(percent by weight of MC-800) is needed.

A. Wet Coating Test

Heat the unwashed job aggregate, cutback bitumen and distilled water to 40ºC in a suitable oven.
Weigh 100 g of dry aggregate into a suitable mixing container (such as seamless tin can, 16 oz
capacity). Add 3 ml of distilled water. Mix thoroughly with a spatula until the aggregate particles
are uniformly wetted. Add 5.6 g of MC-800. Mix rigorously with the spatula until all aggregate
is coated, but not more than 5 minutes. Transfer the contents into a 400 ml beaker containing 150
ml of distilled water (22-32ºC). Let stand for 15 minutes and visually determine the percent of
retained coating, which should be at least 98 percent.
B. Static-Immersion Test
The coated aggregate as prepared in the preceding wet coating test shall remain immersed in the
beaker of distilled water (22–32ºC) for 24 hours. At the end of this period, visually determine the

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percent of retained coating while the sample remains immersed in water, which should be at least
95 percent.
C. Water Resistance Test (Boiling water test)
Fifty grams of patching mix, whether freshly prepared or taken from the stockpile or a sealed
bag, shall be heated at 120 ℃ in a laboratory oven for 1 hour, cooled to 95 ℃ in laboratory air,
and then placed in 400 ml of boiling water in a 600-ml glass beaker and stirred with a glass rod
at the rate of 1 revolution per second for 3 minutes. The water shall be decanted and the mix
shall be spread on an absorbent paper for visual observation of the coating. The aggregate shall
be at least 90 % coated with a bituminous film.

50-kg Plastic-Lined Sturdy Bags: Procure the desired number of 50-kg plastic-lined, sturdy,
woven bags (sacs). These are readily available in the market and are used for storing agricultural
seeds. Plastic lining is necessary so that the kerosene in MC-800 does not evaporate and mix
maintains its workability for at least 6 months as specified. Choose a sturdy variety for the bag
cloth because angular stones in the mix may pierce the bag. Typically, these bags cost Rs. 15
each. You can get your own bags stitched up locally like Riya Construction in Jaipur does. Label
the bag: Readymade Pothole Patching Mix – Meets IRC:116 Specification.
Now that we have procured all the necessary materials: aggregate; MC-800; suitable anti-
stripping agent; and packing bags, we are ready to make the mix as explained next.

3.2 Mixing Operation

For mixing, the dry aggregate temperature should be between 25 to 65 ℃ as mentioned earlier.
Ensure that aggregate is not overheated otherwise the kerosene in MC-800 would evaporate
making the mix stiff and unworkable. We do want to retain the kerosene so the mix is workable
for at least 6 months otherwise it would be rejected by the buyer agency.
Heat the MC-800 to the desired temperature range of 70 to 95 ℃; add the selected anti-stripping
agent at the required dosage; and stir it well in the drum.
Now, for mixing the dry aggregate with MC-800, we can use any of the following three mixing
plants. The total amount of MC-800 to be added to the aggregate depends on its % water
absorption as shown in Table 2. Note that the total MC-800 content mentioned in Table 2 would
provide the minimum residue bitumen as mentioned in IRC Specification IRC:116 (considering
that MC-800 contains about 20% kerosene).
NOTE: Under no circumstances the MC-800 content be reduced. Even at 0.5% lower MC-800
content, the mix may not be workable; will not perform as expected; and is likely to be rejected
by the buyer.

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Table 2. Minimum total MC-800 content by weight of mix
Aggregate water absorption, Minimum Total MC-800 by weight
% of mix, %
Less than 1.0 5.6
1.1 to 1.5 6.2
1.6 to 2.0 6.9

(a) Small Portable Drum Mixing Plant: If readymade patching mix is to be prepared in
small, limited quantities, the small portable drum mixing plant as shown in Photograph 1
has been used in Rajasthan. This type of plant has been used to provide hot mix such as
premix carpet. It consists of a small rotating drum with flame on one end; aggregate is
introduced at this end. Paving bitumen such as VG-30 is introduced at the other end. So,
like a typical large hot mix drum plant, aggregate is dried, heated, and mixed with
bitumen in the drum. The mixed material is discharged at the other end.

Photograph 1. Small portable drum mix plant

CAUTION: Now, to produce readymade patching mix, we have to be very careful that
we do not introduce MC-800 containing volatile kerosene into the drum with a flame
burning. As mentioned earlier, this would pose safety hazard. Therefore, we can either
dry and heat the aggregate or mix with MC-800. We cannot do both operations at the
same time.

If the aggregate is not already dry, it should be heated in the drum with flame and
discharged on the other end without adding MC-800. Then, the dry aggregate can be re-
introduced in the drum without flame and MC-800 added. The mixed material is

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 collected at the other end with a wheel barrow and stacked for placing in the bags later.
The mix should have near 100% coating of bitumen.

The mix should be such that it can be stocked, handled, placed, and finished without
stripping of the bitumen from the aggregate. To help prevent stripping and avoid heat
buildup in a stockpile (which may burn the entire stockpile due to chimney effect), the
mixed material should not be stockpiled no higher than 1.5 m for the first 48 hours. The
stockpile then can be raised in height and made conical in shape.

Conduct the following boiling test (Water Resistance Test) on the mixed material, as also
mentioned earlier.
Fifty grams of patching mix, whether freshly prepared or taken from the stockpile or a
sealed bag, shall be heated at 120 ℃ in a laboratory oven for 1 hour, cooled to 95 ℃ in
laboratory air, and then placed in 400 ml of boiling water in a 600-ml glass beaker and
stirred with a glass rod at the rate of 1 revolution per second for 3 minutes. The water
shall be decanted and the mix shall be spread on an absorbent paper for visual
observation of the coating. The aggregate shall be at least 90 % coated with a bituminous
film.

(b) Conventional Large Drum Mix Plant:

The mixing procedure is similar to the small, portable drum plant described above. If the
aggregate is not dry, it can be fed to one of the cold aggregate bin; and dried and heated only in
the drum with flame (no MC-800 is added to the drum otherwise explosive situation would be
created due to volatile kerosene in MC-800). The dried aggregate discharged from the drum is
collected and placed in another cold aggregate bin. This dry aggregate is then routed through the
drum without flame and MC-800 added. The discharged mix (with near 100% bitumen coating)
is collected and stacked for bagging later.

(c) Conventional Large Batch Mix Plant:

This type of plant is ideal for producing readymade patching mix because drying and mixing
operations are done separately in the same process and therefore MC-800 containing volatile
kerosene does not come near open flame.
Again, one cold aggregate bin needs to be used. Ensure that the aggregate is not heated above 65
℃ so that kerosene in MC-800 is not lost by evaporation. For safety reasons, keep the pugmill
open or well ventilated so that kerosene vapor (if any) can escape. The discharged mix can be
stacked for bagging later.

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3.3 Quality Control and Acceptance of Mixture
The composition of the produced mix (gradation and bitumen content) should be tested by an
independent, approved testing laboratory before acceptance by the Engineer. Before conducting
the bitumen extraction test to determine residual bitumen content in the patching mix, the sample
should be cured completely to remove all kerosene. Curing should be done as follows. Place the
loose mix in an open metal container and heat slowly on a hot plate with frequent stirring until a
constant weight is achieved.
The following two tests should be performed by the contractor (in presence of a Department
representative) on the mixture, freshly prepared or taken from a stockpile or sealed bag at any
time during its storage life (usually 6 months).
(i) Water Resistance Test (Boiling Test) as described earlier
(ii) Workability Test

The water resistance test would indicate whether the patching mix has a potential for stripping in
the pothole in presence of water. If the mix fails this test, it means a proper type and/or amount
of an anti-stripping agent has not been used in the bituminous binder.
The workability test should be conducted as described below:
Approximately 2.5 kg of the patching mix shall be cooled to –7ºC in a freezer. After cooling, the
mixture shall be capable of being broken up readily with a spatula that has a blade length of
approximately 200 mm. This test shall be performed when the mix is produced and thereafter
anytime during storage. If the mix is not workable at –7ºC, it shall be rejected and the
composition of the mix shall be properly modified (for example, by increasing the bitumen
content and/or gradation changes). This test is also applicable in areas with hot climate because it
amplifies the workability characteristics of the mix by using a lower test temperature.
If the mix fails in workability it could be due to improper bitumen type, low bitumen content,
excessive fines or improper gradation. Even one-half percent lower bitumen content can make
the patching mix unworkable and useless.
Stocked patching material may be rejected, at any time during the six-month period if, in the
opinion of the Engineer, the patching material has stripped (more than 10% uncoated particles)
or otherwise become unfit or unworkable for use.

4. PACKING AND STORAGE OF READYMADE PATCHING MIX

The readymade patching mix produced from any of the three mixing plants as described above
can be stored on a paved, clean platform as a conical stack after 48 hours. It need not be packed
right away; but should be packed preferably within 5-7 days of production.

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Use a large scale to ensure each bag is filled with 50 kg of readymade mix. Sew (seal) the top of
the plastic-lined sturdy bag to ensure that the kerosene in MC-800 does not escape from the mix
and the mix remains workable for at least 6 months.
The packed bags should be stored in an open building/godown with good ventilation so that the
kerosene vapor (in case of leakage) does not accumulate inside and create a potentially
hazardous situation.

5. REFERENCES

1. Indian Roads Congress. IRC:116-2014 “Specifications for Readymade Bituminous

Pothole Patching Mix Using Cutback Bitumen”. New Delhi 2014.
2. Kandhal, P. S. and D. B. Mellott. Rational Approach to Design of Bituminous Stockpile
Patching Mixtures. Transportation Research Board, Transportation Research Record 821,
1981.

3. Kandhal, P.S. A Simple and Effective Method of Repairing Potholes in India. Journal of
the Indian Roads Congress, Volume 69-3, October-December 2008.

4. Kandhal, P.S. Bituminous Road Construction in India. Textbook cum Reference Book.
Prentice Hall of India, New Delhi, July 2016.

B. GUIDELINES FOR PLACING COLD PATCHING MIX IN POTHOLES

SCOPE
These guidelines apply to readymade, cold patching mix prepared in accordance with Indian
Roads Congress Specifications IRC:116-2014, “Specifications for Readymade Bituminous
Pothole Patching Mix Using Cut-Back Bitumen”.

MATERIALS
1. Readymade patching material packed in plastic-lined, 50-kg bags with a storage life of at
least 6 months. [For estimation purposes, one 50-kg bag is sufficient to fill pothole(s)
measuring 2/3 cu ft in volume.]
2. Sand to be sprinkled on compacted patch so that traffic tyres do not pick the patching
mix. [Some agencies spread plant leaves on the patch to achieve the same purpose.]

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TOOLS
1. Wire brush to loosen disintegrated asphalt/debris in the pothole
2. Ordinary road brush to remove debris and dust from the pothole
3. Suitable large scoop to remove mix from the bag and place in the pothole
4. Rake with long handle to level off the loose mix before compaction
5. Hand-held rammer with a heavy, steel base to compact the mix in pothole
6. Shallow tray with water to moisten the base of the rammer so that bitumen-rich mix
does not stick to it during compaction

PROCEDURE
1. If the pothole is filled with rainwater, sweep off the excess water from the pothole.
Pothole need not be dry.
2. Use wire brush to loosen existing disintegrated asphalt mix/debris in the pothole.
3. Use ordinary road brush to remove loose debris/dust from the pothole to make it clean.
4. Open the 50-kg bag and place sufficient cold mix in the pothole using a large scoop so
that after compaction the patch is about 10-12 mm above the adjoining road surface.
Traffic will then densify the patch later and make it almost level to road surface. Level
the loose mix with a rake before compaction.
5. If the pothole is about 75 mm or less in depth, all mix can be placed in one lift (layer) and
compacted. If the pothole is deeper than 75 mm, then the mix should be placed in layers.
Each layer should not exceed about 75 mm and should be compacted adequately with
hand-held rammer before placing the next layer.
6. After the patching mix is placed in the pothole, compaction should be accomplished with
a hand-held rammer (Photograph 2). First, the periphery of the patch should be
compacted adequately and then compaction should proceed inwards toward the center of
the patch. Moisten the bottom of the hand-held rammer frequently with water in shallow
tray so that the bitumen-rich patching mix does not stick to the rammer. Compaction
should be carried out until there is little movement of the mix when pressed with shoes.
The compacted patch should be about 10-12 mm higher than the adjoining road surface
as mentioned earlier. Note: If there are too many potholes on a road, it is advisable to use
either a vibratory compaction plate or a small roller to expedite the patching operation. In
that case, the compacted patch should be about 5-6 mm higher than the adjoining road
surface.
7. Sprinkle some sand on the compacted patch so that traffic tyres do not pick the bitumen-
rich mix. [Some agencies spread plant leaves on the patch to achieve the same purpose.]
8. The patch can now be opened to heavy traffic such as car and truck, which is actually
helpful in further compacting and locking the patch in place. Bikes may leave mark on
the patch but it would be ironed out by heavy traffic.
9. If the pothole is very deep and it is desired to economize on the use of readymade
patching mix, it can be done as follows. Clean the pothole and spray a thick film of MC-
30 cutback bitumen at the bottom as a tack coat. Place graded aggregate of 50 mm

11
 maximum size in the pothole and compact it well in layers. Spray another tack coat of
MC-30 on compacted aggregate. Place and compact at least 75 mm of the readymade
pothole patching mix at the top.

Photograph 2. Compaction of patch with hand-held rammer

ANNEXURE A
Cost Analysis of Supplying Readymade Bituminous Pothole Patching Mix (IRC: 116-2014)
to Department Godown
(Revised 6 April 2017)

Assume one ton (1000 kg) of the mix is to be made and filled in 20 bags of 50 kg each, which
will be supplied to Department Godown for use later.

A. Cost of Materials

1. Aggregate of specified gradation

Aggregate 940 kg @ Rs. 525 per ton………………………..………….. 493.50

2. Bitumen MC-800 Cutback supplied in drums:

60 kg @ Rs. 57,000 per ton……………………………………………. 3420.00

3. Anti Stripping Agent @ 0.3 % by weight of MC-800

1.8 kg @ Rs. 140 per kg…………………………………………………. 252.00

Total for A 4165.50

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 B. Production Cost

1. Portable Mini Hot Mix Plant with capacity of 8 tons/day

Rent for one day = Rs. 3500. Rent to produce one ton will be
one-eighth of Rs. 3500, that is, Rs. 437.50……………………………… 437.50

2. Fuel costs: 24 liters per day; 3 liters per hour

3 liters @ Rs. 60 per liter……………………………………………… 180.00

3. Labour: 8 labourers needed per day to produce 8 tons

1 labourer needed per ton @ Rs. 400 per day…………………………. 400.00

Total for B 1017.50

C. Packing, Handling and Transport to Department Godown

1. Cost of 50-kg empty bags

20 bags @ Rs. 12 per bag……………………………………………….. 240.00

2. Labour for filling, weighing and sealing bags;

3 labourers can fill 160 bags in one day (20 bags in one hour)
Cost of labourers for one day = 3 times Rs. 400 = Rs. 1200
Cost of filling 20 bags in one hour = 1200/8…………………………….. 150.00

3. Transport of bags from plant to department godown

(average 10 km lead) 1 ton@ Rs. 300 per ton…………………… ……. 300.00

Total for C 690.00

D. Total of A + B + C……………………………………………………. 5,873.00

Contractor’s overhead @ 10% of D........................................................... 587.30

Royalties, sales tax, income tax etc. @ 4.5% of D....................................... 264.28

Total 6724.58
Add 10% contractor’s margin……………………………………… 672.46

Total Cost per ton (20 bags of 50 kg each)…………………………..Rs. 7397.04

Cost per kg……………………………………………………………..Rs. 7.40

Cost per 50-kg bag……………………………………………………..Rs. 370.00

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 ANNEXURE B

Cost Analysis of Laying Readymade Bituminous Pothole Patching Mix (IRC:116-2014)

(Revised 6 April 2017)

Assume Eight (8) tons of the readymade mix will be laid

in potholes in one day. Costs for one day operation are as follows:

1. 4 Labourers @ Rs. 400 each…………………………………… 1,600.00

2. Transportation of bags from Department Godown to

laying site (average one-way lead of 20 km)
(a) Rent of tractor = Rs. 800
(b) Cost of diesel = Rs. 480 (tractor will consume one liter
per 5 km; 8 liters for 40 km @ Rs. 60 per liter = Rs. 480
Total transportation cost = 800 + 480 = 1280…………………… 1,280.00

3. Sand bags for sprinkling sand on patches to avoid pickup:

2 sand bags @ Rs. 12 per bag………………………………………24.00

Total 2,904.00

Add 10% contractor overhead……………………... 290.40

Add 4.5% for royalty, sales tax, income tax, etc……………….. 130.68

Total 3325.08

Add 10% contractor margin…………………………………….. 332.51

Total 3657.59

This is the cost for 8 tons.

Cost per ton = Rs. 457.20

Cost per kg = Rs. 0.46
Cost per 50-kg bag = Rs. 23.00

****************************************************

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