CSIR-CRRI, GBA to review EcoFix pothole repairs before citywide rollout

BENGALURU: A team from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) along with officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will soon inspect all potholes that were filled with EcoFix -- a quick-fix technology. Two months back, the CSIR-CRRI had inked a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, and GBA to fill potholes that will withstand all weather conditions, including heavy rain. According to GBA officials, over the last few weeks, potholes in 10-15 locations had been filled using this technology. So far, no follow-up was done. We will now review the work and visit the locations in the coming days before expanding it to all areas, said GBA Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao. The CSIR-CRRIs EcoFix repairs potholes within 20 minutes, irrespective of the weather conditions. Dry and waterlogged potholes are repaired instantly, without dewatering and without using any heavy machinery. Since it has no waiting period, potholes can be filled within 20 minutes, said Dr Satish Pandey, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-CRRI, and the inventor of EcoFix. He added: The technology was developed by CSIR-CRRI in collaboration with Ramuka Global Services Pvt Ltd. A ready-to-use cold mix is made from processed steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry. Each tonne of steel produced generates nearly 200 kg of slag waste, which often ends up in landfills. By converting this waste into a durable repair material, EcoFix merged science, sustainability and speed. According to him, the use of processed industrial waste not only makes the solution cost-effective and long-lasting but also promotes environmental sustainability by reducing dependence on natural aggregates. A report on the same was published on November 10, 2025, by CSIR-CRRI. It detailed that the mix combines processed slag aggregates with a special polymeric binder, giving it better cohesion. It is also water resistant and thus has a longer shelf life. It can be applied directly at ambient temperature, even in waterlogged potholes, without any heating or tack coating, making it a true all-weather, low-emission solution. Since it does not require heating of aggregates of bitumin, the use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions is reduced by up to 30%, the report stated. The CSIR-CRRI officials said the same method has been used to fill potholes in New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Assam. In Karnataka, select roads in Bengaluru, Ballari and Belagavi were repaired. A portion of the State Highway 141, Rakshoppa-Sutagatti, was also repaired using this method.