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Bangalore, Feb 9: Don't get worked up if you spot potholes on new roads. The Karnataka government is evolving a system to ensure contractors who build roads are responsible for maintaining them for five years. Or else, they won't get money.

The new system is called the 'output performance-based road maintenance contract' and will be introduced on a pilot basis on 1,800 km of state highways. Maintaining them will cost Rs 269 crore, a tenth of what it takes to build them.

"This money will be spent over five years," governor's adviser S Krishna Kumar told reporters here on Friday.

To start with, contracts will focus on maintaining roads. The contract will include a clause to ensure that roads remain pothole-free, have no waterlogging and have an efficient drainage. Money will be paid in phases and those who fail to achieve targets will have to suffer losses.

In introducing the new system, the state government has been inspired by successful attempts in foreign countries. "Our consultants have also recommended the system," Kumar said.

Criteria for evaluating road quality have been quantified. They will be built into road contracts. "Once the pilot project is found successful, it can be extended to the entire state."

"Till now, there was no co-relation between the input that goes into making a road and its output. The state invested money on roads, but we had no means of evaluating how they were maintained. With the new system, we will be assured of their maintenance for five years," Kumar said in defence of the system.