National highways to soon have self-healing roads? NHAI explores ‘ingenious’ methods to address issue of potholes

Self-healing roads in India soon? The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is exploring an modern expertise that would doubtlessly revolutionize street upkeep within the nation. The expertise includes the use of self-healing asphalt, which has the flexibility to address the persistent issue of potholes, a significant contributor to street accidents and fatalities in India.”We are considering ingenious and unconventional methods to improve durability and to address the issue of potholes,” a senior authorities official who requested anonymity advised ET.
The self-healing properties of this particular asphalt might supply a long-term answer to the pothole downside. However, earlier than implementing the expertise on a big scale, the federal government plans to conduct a radical cost-benefit evaluation to guarantee its feasibility and effectiveness. The official added, “This can increase the lifespan of roads and practically eliminate the need for road maintenance, while bringing down traffic disruption.”

In 2022, India skilled a big 22.6% rise within the quantity of street accidents attributable to potholes on nationwide highways, growing from 3,625 in 2021 to 4,446. These accidents claimed the lives of 1,856 people, which is a 25.3% year-on-year enhance.
The self-healing asphalt expertise works by incorporating small items of metal wool into the bitumen, the binding agent in asphalt. This addition makes the bitumen conductive, permitting it to be heated utilizing an induction machine. The heating course of allows the bitumen to rebind with the stones and gravel within the asphalt, successfully repairing cracks and stopping the formation of potholes.

The street transport and highways ministry has allotted Rs 2,600 crore for street upkeep within the 2024-25 funds, which is in line with the budgetary and revised estimates for 2023-24 and barely larger than the Rs 2,573.66 crore spent in 2022-23.