The Indian government is set to introduce a policy aimed at extending the lifespan of ageing national highways through an innovative technique known as ‘white-topping’. This initiative focuses on rehabilitating flexible, or asphalt, pavements, which represent a significant portion of the country’s national highway network.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is currently soliciting feedback on a draft policy that outlines the white-topping method, its advantages, and the criteria for selecting highways for this treatment. This move comes as India’s national highway network, stretching approximately 146,000 kilometres, faces increasing demands for maintenance due to the growing number of aged assets. White-topping involves applying a concrete overlay to existing bituminous pavements, with a thickness ranging from 100 to 200 mm. This technique, widely used in developed countries, has yet to be extensively adopted in India. The method is expected to extend the lifespan of roads by 20 to 25 years, offering a more durable and cost-effective alternative to traditional bituminous overlays.
Beyond longevity, white-topping has several environmental and operational benefits. Concrete roads contribute to lower fuel consumption for vehicles, thus reducing overall fuel expenses and carbon emissions. Additionally, the lighter colour of concrete enhances reflectivity, decreasing the urban heat island effect and improving road safety through better night-time visibility. In alignment with these advancements, the Ministry has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to prioritise the upgrading of existing highways. This year, NHAI will undertake 79 projects covering approximately 1,421 kilometres at a total cost of ₹1,44,392 crore. These projects are categorised into NHO1 and NHO2, focusing on maintenance, repair, and significant upgrades to improve highway capacity and safety.
The new policy and ongoing projects underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing road infrastructure and addressing maintenance challenges in India’s expansive highway network.
