Self-healing highways

NHAI is exploring the use of self-healing materials for road construction to solve the issue of potholes especially on rural roads. A new asphalt blend is expected to enable a road to autonomously repair itself. This composite will be a mix of steel fibres and bitumen. If a gap is formed, the bitumen will expand to fill it, while the steel threads will assist in patching potholes. This innovative technology also has the potential to prolong the road’s durability and cut maintenance costs.