The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now adopting a new technology whereby roads that repair themselves will soon become a reality in the country, enabling asphalt to self-heal and address the issue of potholes, which, incidentally, is also one of the key reasons for road accidents and deaths in the country. This will also increase the lifespan of roads, eliminate the need for road maintenance and reduce the resultant traffic disruptions.

How it works

Asphalt is a mixture of gravel and sand held together by the viscous mixture of bitumen. As roads age, the bitumen faces wear and tear and pieces of the asphalt may erode, causing small cracks that, over time, turn into potholes. Small pieces of steel fibre are mixed into the bitumen; once the asphalt is poured and set, the bitumen can be heated so it will rebind with stones and gravel in the asphalt. In case there is a gap, the bitumen will expand and fill it while the steel threads help patch up the potholes.

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