International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Sustainable Rehabilitation of Rural Roads Using Jute Geotextile Paving Fabric: A Case Study from the PMGSY Road Monimoy Das1 1Technical Officer, Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association (IJIRA), Kolkata, West Bengal, India,
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Abstract - The application of paving fabric as an interlayer
underlying layers to the surface, leading to progressive surface failure. This necessitates cost-effective and sustainable rehabilitation techniques to extend service life and reduce maintenance costs.
in road construction has proven to be an effective method for mitigating cracks and potholes, thereby enhancing pavement durability. This study examines the effectiveness of Jute Geotextiles (JGT) as a paving fabric in mitigating cracks and potholes in rural roads. The case study focuses on the "Thansara to Bhandarkona Road" in Haringhata Block, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, where JGT was applied under the PMGSY program in association with the West Bengal State Rural Development Agency (WBSRDA). JGT, a biodegradable and eco-friendly material, was used to reinforce the pavement structure, improve bonding between layers, and prevent moisture infiltration. The methodology involved preparing the damaged road surface, applying bitumen coats, and layering JGT before the final asphalt overlay. Results indicate that after 1.5 years, the treated road remains in good condition with no significant distress, demonstrating that JGT effectively arrests reflection cracks and potholes while enhancing pavement durability and reducing maintenance costs. This research highlights the potential of JGT as a sustainable alternative to synthetic geotextiles for rural road rehabilitation.
One promising technique for pavement reinforcement is the use of paving fabrics, also known as asphalt overlay geotextiles. These engineered materials serve as a stressabsorbing interlayer (SAI) that inhibits crack propagation, improves interlayer bonding, and functions as a moisture barrier. When impregnated with bitumen, they form a cohesive layer that reduces reflective cracking and surface distress while enhancing the structural performance of the pavement. JGT, derived from natural plant fibers, offers several technical and ecological advantages: it is biodegradable, thermally compatible with bitumen, and cost-effective, making it especially suitable for rural road applications in developing countries. However, despite its potential, field-level data on the long-term performance of JGT in high-rainfall rural settings remain limited.
Key Words: Jute Geotextiles, Road Rehabilitation, Crack Prevention, Pothole Mitigation, Flexible Pavement, Bitumen Impregnation, Moisture Retention, Reflective Cracking, Stress Absorbing Layer, PMGSY Road Construction
This study addresses this knowledge gap through a case study on the "Thansara to Bhandarkona Road" in Haringhata Block, Kalyani Subdivision, Nadia District, West Bengal, where a 292 gsm open-weave JGT was used as a paving fabric under the PMGSY program. The objective is to assess the suitability of JGT as a sustainable solution for crack and pothole mitigation in rural pavements.
1. INTRODUCTION The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at providing allweather rural road connectivity to unconnected habitations, thereby facilitating socio-economic development in remote regions. While the program has successfully expanded rural infrastructure, many of the constructed roads are susceptible to premature deterioration due to factors such as increasing traffic loads, adverse climatic conditions, inadequate drainage, and weak subgrade soils. Common forms of distress include reflective cracking, fatigue-induced rutting, pothole formation, and surface erosion, particularly in high-rainfall areas.
2. CONDITION OF DAMAGED ROAD A preliminary visual assessment of the study area revealed significant surface deterioration along multiple segments of the PMGSY road between Thansara and Bhandarkona. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 document representative sections exhibiting various forms of pavement failure. Fig. 1 illustrates a stretch of rural road exhibiting multiple potholes filled with standing water. The damaged zones, highlighted in red, reflect the cumulative effects of inadequate drainage, poor slope design, and surface wear. The surface layer, composed of gravel and bituminous material, had disintegrated in several areas, exposing loose aggregates. The accumulation of water in depressions suggests insufficient cross-fall and poor lateral drainage, conditions that exacerbate moisture infiltration into the subgrade and accelerate progressive failure mechanisms.
Flexible pavements, which are typically composed of multiple layers of compacted granular material topped with a bituminous surface, rely heavily on the integrity of the bond between layers and the flexural strength of the top layers for durability. However, over time, structural deficiencies, especially in the form of cracks can propagate from the
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