NHAI Trials Glass Beads to Enhance Chennai-Bengaluru Highway
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI Trials Glass Beads to Enhance Chennai-Bengaluru Highway

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun a trial using a glass beads layer to repair identified cracks on the carriageway of the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-44), between Walajah toll gate in Ranipet and Krishnagiri. This initiative aims to enhance the durability of the 148 km stretch and prevent accidents along the route.
Currently, Larsen & Toubro maintains this highway section on behalf of NHAI under a 30-year agreement signed over a decade ago. According to regulations, a full resurfacing of the entire stretch is required once every ten years, with routine maintenance and patchwork carried out every six months.
The trial involves applying “Glass Grid Rapid” technology, developed by IIT Madras for NHAI. This entails laying a metre-wide, 0.25 mm thick roll containing small glass beads onto cracked portions of the road surface, similar to plastering. A fresh 40 mm layer of bitumen is then applied over the glass bead roll.
Work has been carried out at two locations: 1.2 km at Eraivankadu village in Vellore and 2 km at Kannigapuram village near Ambur in Tirupattur. The project is nearing completion.
NHAI officials explain that the glass bead layer acts as a strong adhesive between two bitumen layers, preventing surface cracks. This in turn helps avoid pothole formation during the monsoon, reducing waterlogging and accidents. The technology also extends the lifespan of bitumen surfaces on critical highways.
Previously, cracks were filled after milling the bitumen surface, a costly and labour-intensive process requiring removal of milled material. The glass bead method promises a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Alongside this trial, NHAI has fully relaid the carriageway’s bitumen to a depth of 40 mm, replaced damaged steel medians, refreshed road markings including pedestrian crossings, and cleared vegetation around medians.
To improve motorist safety, NHAI is raising the height of retaining walls on elevated corridors from two feet to five feet. The highway includes around 50 such corridors, each approximately 800 metres long and 15 metres wide, including railway level crossings. 

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun a trial using a glass beads layer to repair identified cracks on the carriageway of the Chennai–Bengaluru Highway (NH-44), between Walajah toll gate in Ranipet and Krishnagiri. This initiative aims to enhance the durability of the 148 km stretch and prevent accidents along the route.Currently, Larsen & Toubro maintains this highway section on behalf of NHAI under a 30-year agreement signed over a decade ago. According to regulations, a full resurfacing of the entire stretch is required once every ten years, with routine maintenance and patchwork carried out every six months.The trial involves applying “Glass Grid Rapid” technology, developed by IIT Madras for NHAI. This entails laying a metre-wide, 0.25 mm thick roll containing small glass beads onto cracked portions of the road surface, similar to plastering. A fresh 40 mm layer of bitumen is then applied over the glass bead roll.Work has been carried out at two locations: 1.2 km at Eraivankadu village in Vellore and 2 km at Kannigapuram village near Ambur in Tirupattur. The project is nearing completion.NHAI officials explain that the glass bead layer acts as a strong adhesive between two bitumen layers, preventing surface cracks. This in turn helps avoid pothole formation during the monsoon, reducing waterlogging and accidents. The technology also extends the lifespan of bitumen surfaces on critical highways.Previously, cracks were filled after milling the bitumen surface, a costly and labour-intensive process requiring removal of milled material. The glass bead method promises a more efficient and cost-effective solution.Alongside this trial, NHAI has fully relaid the carriageway’s bitumen to a depth of 40 mm, replaced damaged steel medians, refreshed road markings including pedestrian crossings, and cleared vegetation around medians.To improve motorist safety, NHAI is raising the height of retaining walls on elevated corridors from two feet to five feet. The highway includes around 50 such corridors, each approximately 800 metres long and 15 metres wide, including railway level crossings. 

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?