The possibility of eliminating cracked and sticky pavements and roads during the summer heat may soon become a reality. There are new directives regarding road construction that will mandate the use of surfacing materials based on both traffic volume and pavement temperature. This initiative aims to enhance the smoothness and safety of Indian highways.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued fresh guidelines for highways and expressways. These guidelines stipulate that all upcoming road projects must employ surfacing materials chosen according to variations in temperature and axle load (traffic weight), departing from the current practice solely based on weight-carrying capacity.

The amendments will revise the specifications concerning the use of bituminous binders for highways. Henceforth, different grades of binders will be specified according to factors such as prevailing loading, ambient temperature, rainfall, snowfall, and speed. This adjustment is anticipated to enhance pavement durability and render highways safer to navigate, minimising or even eliminating the occurrence of breaks or potholes.