Canadian Technologies Help Build Advanced Roads in India

IC-IMPACTS, a Network of Centres of Excellence funded by the Federal Government of Canada, unveiled an innovative new road in Thondebavi, India. Located near Bangalore, the new road uses advanced Canadian pavement technologies to increase the road’s lifespan and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

The Thondebavi community was in desperate need of improved road infrastructure; extreme heat and monsoon weather made it difficult for community members to even visit nearby villages. Dr. Nemy Banthia (CEO and Scientific Director of IC-IMPACTS) along with the Canadian Consul General to Bangalore, Mr. Stanley Gomes, unveiled the completed road to gathered community members.

The new road is divided into three segments, each using slightly a different thickness and proportion of materials. This approach allows the road to become a living research project that will physically demonstrate which segment of the road performs best. Each section uses super thin pavement technologies that significantly reduce the amount of concrete needed in the construction of the road, and innovative fibers that increase the roads overall strength and durability.

IC-IMPACTS developed the novel road designs through international, multi-faceted partnerships between Canadian and Indian industry and academic partners: ACC Limited, Fosroc Chemicals India, Reliance Industries, Stantec Inc., Stewols India, The University of British Columbia, the National Institute of Engineering and The University of Alberta.

This pavement project has already resulted in a new partnership with the Karnataka Government, who will undertake construction of additional roads with designs supplied by IC-IMPACTS.

These unique pavement technologies may be widely adopted into thousands of other pavement projects across Canada and India, significantly improving the lives of millions of people in both nations.

Quick Facts

46% of roads in India are unpaved, amounting to 3 million kilometers needing pavements
Roads in India can start showing deterioration within 2 years of being laid due to poor materials, intense heat, poor drainage, and monsoons.
The new pavement technologies utilize super-thin pavements and innovative fibers to increase road lifespan by 15 years.
The roads have been designed to integrate with water recovery systems, providing additional water resources to communities

Quotes

“I would like to congratulate IC-IMPACTS for contributing another success story to Canada-India relations. The use of Canadian pavement technologies to support road improvement in Karnataka is a great example of how Canada can support India’s visionary initiatives towards building smart cities and infrastructure.”

– Stanley Gomes, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Canada in Bengaluru

“The Stantec team has been privileged to be able work with the many excellent researchers and professionals that are part of the IC-IMPACTS team. I am impressed with the excellent partnerships that have formed.”

– Dr. Reed Ellis, Vice President, Stantec Inc.

“Dr. Banthia has introduced us to numerous innovative ideas that have allowed our business to tap into new international markets. We are confident that this relationship will help our business new opportunities of partnering with infrastructure companies in Canada”

– Mr. Gunjan Sharma, Senior Vice President, Reliance Industries Limited