Bengaluru has begun testing Jet Patcher technology to repair smaller potholes without blocking roads or adding to the city’s already heavy traffic congestion, Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Friday.

The technology is being introduced through a Rs 2 crore pilot project and will be assessed for wider use across Bengaluru’s city corporations. The system is designed primarily for shallow potholes and could allow traffic to resume within about 10 minutes of a repair being completed.

Pilot Demonstration Held Near Vidhana Soudha

Gowda launched a demonstration of the Jet Patcher technology on the road connecting Vidhana Soudha and MS Building.

He said Bengaluru’s potholes differ widely in their nature and severity, requiring different scientific and technology-based solutions rather than a single method of repair.

In some cases, only the top asphalt layer has worn away, while other potholes involve damage to both the asphalt surface and the underlying aggregate, making them deeper and more difficult to repair.

“We are exploring scientific solutions suited to different types of potholes, and the Jet Patcher is one such solution. Today, they are beginning a pilot to assess the technology and, going forward, different technologies can be deployed depending on the nature and severity of the pothole,” Gowda said.

Technology Designed For Smaller Potholes

According to the minister’s office, the Jet Patcher is not intended for deep potholes and is particularly suited for those measuring around two to three inches in depth.

The machine can repair only the damaged section of a road without requiring work to be carried out over a larger area.

“The machine allows us to work only on the damaged portion of the road. It cleans the dust and debris, applies the bitumen and wet mix, all through a single machine. This means repairs can be carried out even amid traffic, without creating roadblocks or major inconvenience to motorists,” Gowda said.

He said vehicles could use the repaired stretch within around 10 minutes, potentially reducing the need for such work to be carried out only at night.

“Several important parts of Bengaluru have relatively small potholes of two or three inches in depth. Using this technology, these can potentially be repaired quickly, with less manpower and equipment, and without causing traffic disruption,” the minister said.

Alternative To Conventional Hot-Mix Repairs

Gowda said pothole repairs have traditionally relied on hot-mix technology, which requires a roller to compact the repaired surface.

He said the conventional method has limitations, particularly during the monsoon, when hot-mix repairs cannot be carried out effectively.

“Hot-mix repairs have their limitations. They cannot be carried out effectively during the monsoon, and the process requires a roller. If there is only one pothole on a road, deploying the entire setup may not be practical. Traffic also has to be stopped before the work begins, creating additional congestion,” he said.

According to Gowda, wet-mix technology makes it possible to repair an isolated pothole without shutting down the road to traffic.

Rs 2 Crore Tender For Pilot Project

The Central City Corporation has floated a tender worth Rs 2 crore for the pilot project, under which Jet Patcher-based repairs have now begun.

Officials said the Advanced Jet Patcher machine is being used to repair potholes quickly and in accordance with prescribed quality standards.

The system uses cold-mix technology and Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete to repair potholes up to 50 mm in depth.

The pilot will help authorities determine whether the technology can offer a practical solution for the large number of smaller potholes found across Bengaluru’s roads.

Wider Rollout To Depend On Pilot Results

Gowda said the state would consider expanding the technology across Bengaluru if the pilot project proves successful.

“If the Jet Patcher technology proves successful here, we will soon expand its use to pothole repairs across all the city corporations,” he said.

The trial is part of Bengaluru’s broader effort to explore different repair technologies based on the type and severity of road damage, with the Jet Patcher being tested specifically as a faster option for smaller potholes that can be repaired without significantly disrupting traffic.

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