India is infamous for pothole-ridden roads that have plagued the country’s infrastructure growth and mobility for ages. This is despite India having the second largest road network in the world. According to official statistics, in 2022, potholes caused nearly 4,500 accidents, killing over 1,800 people.
Potholes not only lead to loss of life but also result in loss of livelihoods which adversely affects the nation’s economy as well. Damage to road infrastructure is very frequent across the entire country and warrants large-scale regular maintenance throughout the year. This piles up on the Government’s annual budget for road infrastructure.
Self-heal potholes in India
To counter these heavy loss of life and livelihood, the National Highway Authority of India (AHAI) has devised a new technology which is expected to bring a monumental change for Indian road conditions. NHAI is exploring the option of using self-healing materials for road construction.
According to DD News, this ground-breaking (no pun intended) technology will enable a road to ‘repair’ itself using a special type of asphalt, courtesy of a novel blend. The new composite mixture will be infused with steel fibre and bitumen. Interestingly, if and when a gap emerges on the road, the bitumen will spread to cover it and along with steel threads, fill the potholes.
Self-healing potholes: How it works?
NHAI officials claim it will fix the persistent problem of potholes, a major contributor to road accidents and fatalities in the country. However, it isn’t yet known how long the asphalt will take to cover and ‘repair’ a pothole or gap in the road. The self-repairing asphalt technology functions by integrating tiny steel wool fragments into the bitumen, the adhesive component in asphalt. In order to initiate the process, heating of steel fibres is facilitated via an induction apparatus which melts and rebinds asphalts.
Self-healing potholes: When will it come out?
Asphalt is a common element used in the construction roads in India, however, the special self-healing asphalt would cost around 25% more than the standard asphalt. Therefore, the government needs to increase the budget for road infrastructure. That said, maintenance cost will come down significantly which will balance out the initial increment in the building cost.
For reference, the budget for road infrastructure and maintenance for FY 2024-25 stands at Rs 2,600 crore. The government is currently undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of the project before giving a go-ahead. A “concrete” (again no pun intended) development plan regarding this is expected to come out in a year or two. However, there is no clarity as to when will we actually get to see such roads in our country.
Self-healing potholes: Where did the idea originate?
Over a decade ago, Erik Schlangen, a scientist from the Netherlands created the self-healing asphalt mixture which repairs itself. Currently, 12 different roads in the Netherlands are being tested with this self-healing asphalt. One such road has been open to the public since 2010. Moreover, the self-healing properties substantially increase the life of roads which otherwise last for around 7-10 years.
