Self-repairing technology to reshape Indian highways
OIndian roads, especially the national highways, have long grappled with the issue of potholes. These potholes not only damage vehicles but also become a cause of accidents. But here's some good news! The Indian government is on the path to finding a solution to this problem of potholes. In the coming times, you might see roads that can repair themselves!
Let's see how this will work.
What's Happening?
Potholes on roads have become a headache for India because they not only cause delays in everyday travel but also result in thousands of lives lost every year. Looking at the figures, in just 2022 alone, nearly 4,446 accidents occurred due to these potholes. To address this issue, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering adopting the 'SelfHealing Roads' technology. Interestingly, the concept of selfhealing roads was pioneered by a scientist from the Netherlands Erik Schlangen about a decade ago.
What is Self-Healing Roads Technology?
This is a road construction technology where the road is capable of filling its small potholes on its own. It involves a mix of steel fibres and special bitumen in the asphalt. Whenever there's a crack or a small pothole on the road, this special bitumen heats up and fills the gap.
NHAI's Potential Plan
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to adopt this technology. It could be tested in some areas soon. If the tests are successful, this technology could be used across the country in the future. This not only saves time and money on road maintenance but also ensures safer and smoother journeys.
What's in it for Investors?
In March 2024, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 112 National Highway projects in various states. The cost for this is approximately 12.04 billion USD (Rs 1 lakh crore). Along with this, the adoption of technologies like self-healing roads is expected to accelerate the growth of this sector. If we talk about the companies listed on the Indian stock exchange operating in this sector, it includes IRB Infrastructure, G R Infraprojects, PNC Infratech, Dilip Buildcon, Ashoka Buildcon, and Bharat Road Network Limited.
What’s Next?
If self-maintenance roads prove successful, it will be a revolutionary change for Indian roads. Not only will the problem of potholes be eliminated, but road maintenance will also become easier. In the future, this technology could further develop, making this sector attractive to investors. According to IBEF, India has the world's secondlargest road network, spanning approximately 6.7 million kilometres. Additionally, the Indian government has allocated Rs 111 lakh crore (1.4 trillion USD) for the National Infrastructure Pipeline for FY25. There is an expectation of 18% capital expenditure in the road sector for FY25.