The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced new guidelines specifying the use of surfacing materials based on both traffic load and pavement temperature, known as the "new bitumen guidelines."

new bitumen guidelines
Image Source: Urban Update

This move is aimed at addressing the continually recurring problem of pavements and roads cracking and turning sticky during the summer heat.

These guidelines focus on the objective of making Indian highways smoother and safer.

The guidelines mandate that all new road projects take into consideration the temperature and axle load (traffic weights) variations, moving beyond just focusing on weight-carrying capacity alone.

This change will ensure that roads are constructed for varying conditions, resulting in more durable and safer highways with fewer incidents of breakages or potholes, as per report by Mint.

Load-Based Binders

Bituminous binders play an important role in road and pavement construction, acting as the adhesive that holds together the stone, sand, or gravel in asphalt mixtures, creating a surface that is both durable and flexible.

The new guidelines from MoRTH specify the use of different grades of bituminous binders based on different traffic intensity, ambient temperature, rainfall, snowfall, and speed. This aims to enhance the durability of pavements and ensure safer highways.

Climate Recommendations

A task force constituted by MoRTH has recommended the appropriate types and grades of bitumen or modified bitumen suitable for different climatic zones, forming the basis of the new guidelines.

The recommendations are to ensure that roads are constructed to endure the climatic conditions they will be exposed to, thereby enhancing their longevity and performance.

These guidelines apply to all new projects for which bids are currently being invited. The quality of highways will be checked during the re-laying of existing roads.

Infrastructure Needs

“There is a noticeable shift towards constructing wider roads, from 4 lanes to 6 lanes or 8 lanes, reflecting evolving transportation needs and the push for smoother traffic flow and safety. The government is not only focusing on new road construction but also on expressways, dedicated elevated corridors, and grade separators to reduce travel time and supply chain costs,” said Daleep Thusu, Senior Vice President and Transportation Expert at Rudrabhishek Enterprises Ltd.

This statement emphasised on the government's commitment to tackle the growing demand for improved transportation infrastructure.

By constructing wider roads and implementing dedicated elevated corridors and grade separators, the government aims for smoother traffic flow and enhanced safety, which will reduce travel time and supply chain costs.

Ensuring Quality and Durability in Road Construction

The new planning efforts aim to ensure durable pavements capable of withstanding heavy traffic volumes across various climatic conditions.

The use of appropriate pavement materials is expected to improve the lifespan of expressways and reduce operation and maintenance costs.

The government has plans to award 10,000-12,000 kilometres of highways in FY25, all of which must adhere to the new bitumen specifications.

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