Cracks No More? Chennai-Bengaluru Highway To Get A High-Tech Glass Bead Makeover
Two locations—Eraivankadu in Vellore (1.2 km stretch) and Kannigapuram near Ambur (2 km stretch)—have been selected for the trial.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a trial on the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-44), using a glass bead layer to treat cracks on the road.
This move is aimed at enhancing the durability of the 148-km stretch between Walajah toll gate (Ranipet) and Krishnagiri and to reduce accidents caused by potholes and waterlogging.
What Is the Glass Bead Layer?
As per The Hindu, the new tech, called Glass Grid Rapid, was developed by IIT Madras. It involves laying a 1-metre-wide strip of glass beads on cracked portions of the road. This layer, which is only 0.25 mm thick, is covered with 40 mm of fresh bitumen to create a stronger, more flexible surface.
Where Is the Trial Happening?
Two trial spots have been identified: Eraivankadu village in Vellore (1.2 km) and Kannigapuram near Ambur in Tirupattur (2 km). The project is nearly complete and will be monitored for 1–2 years before being introduced to other stretches.
Why Does It Matter?
Traditionally, fixing cracked highways meant completely milling and relaying the bitumen—a costly and labour-heavy task. The glass bead method, however, acts like glue between layers and prevents future cracks.
Along with the new tech, the NHAI has also:
Additionally, safety measures are being boosted by increasing the height of retaining walls on elevated corridors from two to five feet.
What's Next?
If the trial proves successful, we could soon see glass bead tech rolled out across India's major highways.
view comments
First Published:
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Major hill collapse along under-construction NH-66
Kasaragod: In yet another incident exposing the serious safety lapses and risks plaguing the under construction NH-66 stretches in the state, a major portion of a hill collapsed onto the road at Veeramala near Cheruvathoor in Kasaragod around 10.15am on Wednesday. However, a major tragedy was averted due to low traffic at the time. Sindhu, a teacher at SN Teacher Training Institute, Padannakkad, was traveling in her car on the highway. On seeing the landslide on her left side, she drove her car as far to the right as possible to escape from the flowing soil. But her vehicle's front portion was totally covered by mud and debris, trapping her inside. However, locals immediately pulled her out of the car. According to locals, a bike rider was just in front of the car at the time of the mishap. Fortunately, he too had a narrow escape. The concrete wall constructed on the side of NH to prevent mud falling from the hillock was totally damaged in the incident. Traffic movement was completely disrupted as tonnes of soil and debris tumbled onto the road. Fire and rescue personnel, along with locals, launched an operation to clear the road. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canadians Can Claim A Free Hearing Test (If You Live In These Postal Codes) Best Hearing Aids Undo Vehicular movement was diverted through Madakkara-Kottappuram-Nileswaram route. Meanwhile, district collector K Imbasekar and M Rajagopal, MLA, visited the spot. Collector instructed the district disaster management authority to take immediate action. The area had witnessed a similar incident recently. At that time, a man engaged in road work was seriously injured. A drone inspection held in presence of the district collector had confirmed the possibility of landslide at the site. The team also found that unscientific excavation was the reason for the back-to-back landslips. NHAI had debarred the concessionaire Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd from participating in future bids after the collapse of slope protection works in Chengala-Neeleshwaram section of NH-66 at Cherkala in Kasaragod on June 16. NHAI found that improper design, inadequate slope protection works and poor drainage system caused the incident. "The concessionaire has been debarred from participating in future bids due to their failure to execute adequate slope protection works and make proper drainage systems to mitigate such risks," NHAI had said in a release. A show-cause notice was issued to the concessionaire for debarment of one year, including imposing a fine of upto Rs 9 crore. NHAI had said the NH development project was undertaken on hybrid annuity mode, where the concessionaire has to maintain the section for 15 years and would reconstruct the slope protection at their own cost. Traffic restriction Following the landslide, the collector imposed a restriction on traffic movement on the stretch until NHAI submits a report regarding the site's safety. Vehicles moving towards Cheruvathoor and Payyannur from Kanhangad should divert to Kottappuram-Madakkara route from the NH at Nileshwaram. Vehicles proceeding towards Kanhangad and Nileshwaram from Payyanur should move on Kothayimukku-Chemeni-Kayyur-Chayyoth route. No vehicle would be allowed to pass on NH via Cheruvathoor after 10pm on July 23. The restriction will continue until further orders, said the collector.
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
BEML secures Rs 293.81 crore defence order for 150 high mobility vehicles
Bengaluru, Jul 23 (PTI) BEML Limited, a Schedule 'A' public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, on Wednesday said it has received an order worth Rs 293.81 crore from the Ministry of Defence for the supply of 150 indigenously designed high mobility vehicles (HMVs) 6×6. The vehicles will primarily be manufactured at BEML's Palakkad and Mysore plants, with additional production to be undertaken at other divisions based on operational feasibility, the PSU said in a statement. Designed to deliver high reliability and versatility, the 6×6 HMVs are built to operate effectively in extreme terrains, diverse climatic conditions and at high altitudes, it explained. Key features of the HMVs include an independent suspension system, a high-power air-cooled engine, a central tyre inflation system, an anti-lock braking system, and a backbone tube chassis design — ensuring superior mobility, stability, and operational safety. 'This order showcases BEML's expertise and capacity in delivering advanced indigenous products that enhances India's defence infrastructure," said Shantanu Roy, Chairman and Managing Director of BEML Ltd. The HMVs are expected to play a key role in general operations, delivering essential services and logistical support to some of the most remote and inaccessible areas in the country. PTI GMS MNK AMJ AMJ (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 23:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Deaths due to accidents on national highways have marginally reduced since 2023: Govt data
NEW DELHI: Deaths due to accidents on national highways have marginally reduced. The road transport ministry on Wednesday informed Rajya Sabha that 53,372 lives were lost in road crashes on the NH network in 2023 and this reduced to 52,609 during last year. Govt data showed that in 2022, fatalities on NH were 61,038. In a written reply, the ministry said the govt has published the road accidents report annually up to 2022. 'Further, electronic detailed accident report (eDAR) portal has been developed, a central repository for reporting, management and analysis of road accidents across the country,' said the ministry. Quoting eDAR data, it said that till June this year, 26,770 lives were lost in crashes on NHs. The ministry said that the NHAI has installed the advanced traffic management system (ATMS) on high-traffic density NHs and national expressways such as Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Trans-Haryana, Eastern Peripheral Expressway and Delhi Mumbai Expressway. 'ATMS has provisions for various electronic enforcement devices which help in speedy identification of incidents on highway stretches and effectively monitor highways, thereby improving the response time of the on-site assistance,' it said. Responding to a separate question, the ministry said road safety audits have been conducted for 1.1 lakh km NHs during the last three years.
