Stone Matrix Asphalt: How Bhubaneswar roads are future-proofing against heatwaves and rain

As Bhubaneswar reels under record-breaking heatwaves and unpredictable pre-monsoon showers, city planners are turning to a high-performance road technology long used in major metros cities in the world- Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA).

With its ability to withstand punishing heat, high traffic, and water damage, SMA is now the state capital's best bet to build climate-resilient roads for a future of extreme weather.

Over the past few years, Bhubaneswar’s weather has shifted dramatically. April 2025 witnessed back-to-back 40 degrees Celsius-plus days. Coupled with suffocating humidity and sudden showers, these conditions have strained the city’s infrastructure, especially its roads.

Traditional bitumen roads buckle under such stress. Cracks, potholes, and water-logging have become recurring complaints in several wards, often turning intersections into chaos zones during rush hour or rain.

To address this, the Works Department has initiated a strategic shift toward Stone Matrix Asphalt surfacing at high-stress points.

What is Stone Matrix Asphalt and Why It Matters

Unlike conventional asphalt, Stone Matrix Asphalt is engineered with a dense stone skeleton and high asphalt binder content. This creates a durable, rut-resistant surface that doesn’t crack or deform easily, even under heavy traffic and high temperatures.

Its rough surface texture improves vehicle grip, reducing the chances of skidding, a key safety advantage on Bhubaneswar’s busy roads, especially during sudden rains. The mix also features improved drainage characteristics, which allow rainwater to run off quickly, minimising surface water damage.

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Pilot Projects and New Rollouts in Bhubaneswar

The city’s first SMA pilot began quietly earlier this year at Capital Hospital Road, a zone notorious for traffic snarls and surface wear. Encouraged by its success, officials quickly extended the technology to the Bomikhal Road Over Bridge (ROB), one of the city’s most congested and high-risk structures.

In March this year, the department had conveyed its plans to expand SMA paving to ten high-traffic intersections, including Airport Chhak, Raj Bhawan Chhak, and Jayadev Vihar, alongside selective use of Mastic Asphalt Coating on other stretches such as Punama Gate to VSS Nagar Overbridge.

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How Bhubaneswar is Learning from Bigger Cities' Mistakes

Bigger metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru have long battled poor road durability, especially during the monsoon.

In these cities, haphazard patchwork repairs and reliance on outdated materials have made potholes a seasonal inevitability, with tragic consequences in terms of accidents and traffic snarls.

But, Bhubaneswar is approaching the problem differently.

By adopting SMA before problems spiral out of control and localising its use to climate-vulnerable, high-traffic zones, the city hopes to avoid the reactive trap that many Tier-I cities have fallen into.