To boost connectivity between Mumbai and Bengaluru, a new six-lane highway promises to slash travel time between the two Indian cities while also being fuel-efficient and eco-friendly. This 72-km stretch aims to bolster overall connectivity. For this project, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is employing sustainable building techniques and materials such as plastic in bituminous concrete in service roads. The estimated construction cost is approximately Rs.14 billion.Self-healing roads may soon be a reality: National Highways Authority of IndiaRoads that repair themselves could soon become a reality in the country, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) beginning work on a new technology, which allows asphalt to self-heal and address the issue of potholes, one of the key reasons for road accidents and deaths. Asphalt, which has the ability to heal itself once damaged, could provide a solution to the issue of potholes. Asphalt is a mixture of gravel and sand held together by bitumen. As roads age, the bitumen wears down and pieces of asphalt erode, causing small cracks that soon balloon into big potholes. The technology helps combat this erosion by allowing asphalt to heal.  Contact: NHAITel: 011-25074100Website: www.nhai.gov.inAI-based facial recognition system deployed in J&K's Navyug TunnelAn artificial intelligence (AI)-based facial recognition system was installed at the Navyug Tunnel Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu highway. In a significant stride towards bolstering security measures, police in Kulgam installed the artificial intelligence-based system to identify and track individuals involved in criminals activities, including history-sheeters, drug peddlers, absconders and members of banned organisations, etc, in the region. The AI-based facial recognition system is an integral part of the smart policing initiative. By leveraging this technology,  police contribute to intelligent and proactive policing.  Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway NH-275: AI-based camera installation beginsOverspeeding and driving on the wrong side of the Mysuru-Bengaluru Expressway (Highway), violating lane discipline and wrong lane travel will be totally reduced with the deployment of over 60 artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras along the National Highway-275. At regular intervals along the highway, exclusive arches with solar-powered panels have been installed to support cameras. Each side of these arches has five cameras and lane-wise speed limit indicators for enhanced surveillance. Once the cameras are operational, violations will be automatically detected through photographs and registration number plates.Long-distance diesel buses to switch to electricThe government plans to have electric buses running on long-distance routes and may incentivise their adoption to accelerate the green mobility shift. The latest plan focuses on interstate passenger transport. An estimated 1.25-1.45 million buses, including around 250,000 state government-controlled transport utilities, operate on intercity or interstate routes. Long-distance buses run on diesel and a shift to electric will majorly contribute to a reduction in emissions. The viability of electric buses over long routes has been established for up to eight-nine hours of continuous travel. School buses that run for hardly four hours in a day within cities should be encouraged to switch to electric and sops are being considered to encourage more private players to adopt e-buses.