‘Jet patcher’ to fix small potholes without halting traffic
Bengaluru launches ₹2-crore jet patcher project to repair small potholes efficiently without disrupting traffic flow.
Updated - September 11, 2026 10:09 pm IST - Bengaluru
A ₹2-crore pilot project to test the jet patcher technology for repairing small potholes was launched by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda near MS Building in Bengaluru on Friday. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Friday inaugurated a ₹2-crore pilot project to test jet patcher technology for repairing small potholes without disrupting traffic.
The project has been taken up by the Central Corporation, which has floated the tenders now, with the demonstration held on the road between the Vidhana Soudha and M.S. Building. If the technology proves effective, it is proposed to be used for pothole repairs across the city’s five corporations, Mr. Byre Gowda said, pointing out that the machine is meant for potholes up to 50 mm (two inches) depth and not for deeper road damage.
“Potholes are spread across Bengaluru. In some places, only the top layer of asphalt has worn away, while in others, both the asphalt and underlying aggregate have deteriorated, leading to deeper potholes,” Mr. Byre Gowda said, adding that different repair methods would be needed depending on the nature of the damage.
The jet patcher cleans dust and loose material from the pothole, applies bitumen emulsion, and places the repair mix, following which the repaired portion is compacted using a plate compactor. Traffic can resume about 10 minutes after the repair.
Mr. Byre Gowda said conventional hot-mix repairs have limitations, especially during the monsoon, and require a roller for compaction. Deploying the entire setup for a single pothole may not be practical. Wet-mix technology allows smaller, isolated potholes to be repaired without halting traffic, he said.
Published - September 11, 2026 10:06 pm IST
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