India’s rapid infrastructural expansion necessitates the use of innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, longevity and sustainability. Geosynthetics, encompassing geotextiles, geogrids, geocells, geomembranes, geomats and geocomposites have emerged as essential components in modern construction and provide advanced engineering benefits across various sectors. Their application in roadways, railways, airports, tunnels and mining projects has upgraded construction methodologies by improving structural stability, extending service life and optimising costs. In road and highway construction, geosynthetics play a crucial role in subgrade stabilisation, pavement reinforcement and drainage. Similarly, in railway infrastructure, they contribute significantly to track-bed stabilisation, ballast reinforcement and subgrade improvement.
In airport construction, their deployment can enhance runway stability and drainage systems. Airports such as Kolkata and Chennai have used geotextiles to address soil stability challenges, improve overall runway performance and prevent premature failures. In tunnel and mining applications, geomembranes and geocomposites serve as essential barriers for waterproofing and environmental protection. Their use in tunnels, such as the Pir Panjal railway tunnel in Jammu & Kashmir, has improved structural integrity and reduced water ingress. With India moving forward with large-scale infrastructure projects, the integration of geosynthetics is transforming traditional construction practices. These materials will build resilience in construction practices by offering high quality performance and cost-effectiveness.
Roads and highways
In road construction, geosynthetics provide capabilities such as separation, reinforcement, filtration and drainage, with geotextiles and geogrids preventing subgrade-aggregate mixing, improving load distribution and reducing maintenance costs. For instance, geocells have been employed for erosion control along road embankments, such as on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara expressway in Gujarat, where they were filled with vegetative soil to provide both functional and aesthetic benefits. Additionally, geotextiles act as filters and separators in pavement layers, intercepting the movement of granular materials and mitigating the risk of surface failure. This application is particularly beneficial for high-traffic highways for better load bearing and preventing premature degradation.
In challenging terrains, geosynthetics have been instrumental in slope stabilisation and retention works. The four-lane National Highway (NH)-5 from Kaithlighat to Shakral village (Shimla Bypass Package I) deployed geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls to secure valley-side slopes and provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution in hilly areas. Similarly, stabilisation measures have been implemented in the Varanasi-Aurangabad stretch of NH-2 in Bihar, with the use of geocells and geotextiles to reinforce the fine sandy silt, reducing excavation needs and minimising disruption to adjacent service roads. Geosynthetics have also improved rural connectivity, as seen in Bettadapura village, Karnataka, strengthening subgrades and ensuring better load-bearing capacity.
Railways
Railway projects in India are relying on geosynthetics as a robust material for track stabilisation, ballast reinforcement and erosion control. They help improve track performance by preventing ballast contamination and minimising differential settlement, particularly in high-speed and heavy-axle-load corridors. In line with this, the dedicated freight corridors and upcoming high speed rail projects have incorporated geogrids and geotextiles to reinforce railway tracks laid on weak soils and enhance their bearing capacity. In regions with complex terrains, such as Jammu & Kashmir, Indian Railways has explored geosynthetic applications to stabilise tracks and improve operational efficiency.
One of the examples of geosynthetics application in railway infrastructure is the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link project, where a flexible hybrid reinforced soil structure was created for rail embankments and bridge abutments. This was the first time Indian Railways adopted a reinforced soil system for such heights, opting for geosynthetic solutions over conventional methods due to their sustainability and cost-effectiveness. Similarly, on the Bina-Katni railway route in Madhya Pradesh, geocells were used to protect the railway embankment from slope erosion, reducing construction time and costs while ensuring long-term stability against adverse weather conditions.
Airports
Airport construction works have been using geosynthetics in runway development and pavement reinforcement. Its notable use is witnessed in the construction of Pakyong airport in Sikkim, where a composite soil reinforcement system was implemented to retain and stabilise fill material. Its use was crucial in creating one tall reinforced soil structure at the airport’s high-altitude location, ensuring long-term stability and preventing soil erosion. Similarly, geogrids and geotextiles have been extensively used in runway expansion projects at major airports such as Chennai and Kolkata, where they provided essential functions such as separation, filtration and reinforcement.
Another significant application of geosynthetics in airport infrastructure is subgrade stabilisation and drainage improvement, which are critical for sustaining the heavy loads imposed by aircraft and frequent traffic. Woven geotextile fabric is commonly used to strengthen and stabilise the subgrade, base and surface layers of runways, preventing deformation, cracking and rutting under dynamic loads. Additionally, geotextiles act as filters, preventing the intermixing of subgrade and base materials, thus maintaining the integrity of the runway structure. At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, geosynthetics were integrated into the construction of taxiways and aprons to enhance soil strength and improve drainage efficiency, reducing water accumulation and preventing pavement deterioration.
Mining
Geosynthetics have become an important component in India’s mining sector, offering solutions for slope stability, containment and environmental protection. One of the critical applications is in tailing dams, where geotextiles and geomembranes are used as liners to prevent leakage and ensure safe containment of mining waste. These materials help in reducing environmental contamination while also improving the overall stability of tailing storage facilities. Additionally, geotextiles are used to reinforce man-made and natural slopes, particularly in areas prone to high water saturation, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. Its adoption not only improves safety and operational efficiency but also aligns with sustainable mining practices by minimising environmental risks.
Tunnels
Geosynthetics play a critical role in tunnel construction in India, particularly in waterproofing and drainage solutions. Geomembranes act as liners in hydraulic tunnels, preventing water leakage and enhancing structural stability, while non-woven geotextiles are used for separation, protection and drainage. An example of their usage is the metro tunnel construction works undertaken by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. It has integrated geosynthetics in its tunnel works by placing geotextiles between the shotcrete lining and the geomembrane sheet to improve durability and water management. Additionally, the Indian chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society has been actively promoting the use of geosynthetics in tunnel engineering, highlighting their effectiveness in improving tunnel lifespan and safety.
Others sectors
The vast application of geosynthetics has also been extended to other sectors such as water supply and irrigation, ports, power and renewable energy. For instance, it was widely used for filtration, drainage and erosion control in Gujarat’s Medha Creek Irrigation Scheme, where geogrid-geotextile systems effectively stabilised slopes and controlled seepage. In the port sector, geocells help strengthen road subgrades in areas with soft marine clay, ensuring better load distribution and reducing maintenance for heavy port traffic. Additionally, geogrids are used to reinforce container parking areas, preventing differential settlement and enhancing pavement load-bearing capacity.
Furthermore, their effective use can be seen in wind and thermal power projects, such as in Mandsaur, where geocells were used to protect wind turbine foundations from erosion. Inland Green Energy installed 8,000 sq. m of Ocean high-density polyethylene geomembrane in July 2024 for industrial waste containment at a sustainable energy facility and reinforcing environmental protection measures.
Challenges and future possibilities
The future of geosynthetics in India’s infrastructure sectors looks promising, given their proven benefits in enhancing stability, durability and sustainability across sectoral projects. However, successful implementation depends not only on the quality of geosynthetic materials but also on proper installation practices and skilled execution. While geocells are relatively simple to install and cost-effective, ensuring optimal performance requires expert consultancy, proper selection of infill material and adherence to best construction practices. One of the key challenges is the need for a skilled workforce and a network of quality installers who understand the nuances of geosynthetic applications. To bridge this gap, leading manufacturers are increasingly offering trained installation supervisors and working towards developing standardised guidelines and inspector manuals to ensure quality control across projects. As India continues to expand its physical infrastructure, addressing these challenges will be crucial in unlocking the full potential of geosynthetics and ensuring their long-term reliability in critical projects.
