Mumbai: Senior civic officials have directed that field dry density (FDD) tests be made mandatory at all ongoing cement concretisation worksites to ensure road strength and load-bearing capacity. During concretisation, dry lean concrete (DLC), a relatively dry mix with low cement content, is laid before pavement quality concrete is poured. DLC is compacted using road rollers, said officials. According to the directive, FDD tests must be conducted after this compaction to ensure proper level has been achieved. If the test results are not satisfactory, additional roller passes must be made, the senior officials told contractors during an inspection of road works in the western suburbs on Wednesday. All sites have to follow this protocol and test reports must be reviewed regularly. Additional municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar, who was present at the inspection, stressed on the importance of seamless connectivity between new and old roads, and pre-monsoon cleaning of stormwater drains and sewer lines. He stressed on proper jointing to prevent road cracks and directed teams to pursue pending NOCs from traffic police. —Richa Pinto