Dr. Prathap Bhimasena Rao’s inspiration for starting GridMats stemmed from a deeply personal and civic calling.  As a former fighter pilot and Harvard alumnus, he combined discipline with innovation to tackle this urgent infrastructure issue.

Here’s what fueled his journey:

🚧 Frustration with Unsafe Roads

• He was deeply concerned about the deplorable condition of Indian roads, which posed daily risks to commuters.

• The lack of timely government intervention pushed him to take matters into his own hands.

🌱 Sustainability Meets Innovation

• He saw an opportunity to repurpose plastic waste into something meaningful—thus, GridMats were born.

• These mats offer a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to traditional road-building materials, reducing carbon emissions and construction time.

🤝 Citizen-Led Change

• Dr. Prathap believed in empowering communities. PotHoleRaja began by asking citizens to report potholes and even volunteer to fix them.

• This grassroots approach evolved into a scalable model, with GridMats becoming a cornerstone of their solution.

🌍 Vision for Resilient Infrastructure

• His goal wasn’t just to patch potholes—it was to build SMART, inclusive, and disaster-resilient roads that could withstand climate challenges.