ITANAGAR: The Border Road Organization (BRO) has successfully utilised an indigenous road construction technology to overcome the challenges of constructing high-altitude bituminous roads under low and sub-zero temperature conditions on the Indo-China border in Arunachal Pradesh.
Called “REJUPAVE,”, this innovative technology, developed by India’s oldest road research organisation, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), has enabled the construction of road sections at the world’s highest Sela Road Tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY Road) near the China border.
Traditionally, bituminous road construction in these challenging terrains faced significant delays or halts during winter due to increased heating time requirements at elevated temperatures in hot mix plants.
The production and transportation of hot bituminous mix posed challenges, resulting in inferior quality for paving and rolling.
To address these issues, the REJUPAVE technology has been successfully implemented by the BRO, allowing for the construction of bituminous roads at altitudes of 14,000 ft and 18,000 ft.
This technology reduces the production and rolling temperatures of bituminous mixes by 30 to 40°C, minimising heat loss during transit, even amid snowfall.
It significantly extends the working window for road construction companies, enabling the development of a robust road network under challenging conditions.
PKH Singh, Additional Director General (EAST), BRO, highlighted the successful utilisation of technology, highlighting its role in expediting road construction and improving operational capacity for defence forces.
Satish Pandey, Principal Scientist at CSIR-CRRI and inventor of REJUPAVE, explained that the bio-oil-based asphalt modifier lowers the heating requirements of bituminous mixes and preserves their temperature during transit.
“The use of this technology not only facilitates road construction at subzero temperatures but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the eco-sensitive mountainous environment of Arunachal Pradesh,” he said. In a statement by the BRO.
Road built with REJUPAVE technology is expected to have enhanced long-term durability and better resistance to thermal cracking in low-temperature conditions.
