NH-716 field trial uses 60% reclaimed asphalt in a structural road layer
CSIR-CRRI and industry partners demonstrated a high-recycled-content dense bituminous macadam mix under live construction conditions on the Chennai-Tirupati highway.
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, Oriental Structural Engineers and Ooms India have demonstrated the use of 60% reclaimed asphalt pavement in dense bituminous macadam on National Highway 716.
The work was carried out under actual construction conditions on the Chennai-Tirupati highway, moving the recycled mix beyond a laboratory-only result.
Why it matters
Reusing asphalt can reduce demand for virgin aggregate and bitumen, divert material from waste streams and lower the resource intensity of road construction. Structural layers also provide a more demanding test than low-risk surface applications.
SCULTRA point of view
Field validation is the right progression. Wider adoption should depend on documented material characterisation, plant controls, construction consistency, lifecycle cost and long-term performance across climates, traffic loads and maintenance regimes.
Limitations
One field demonstration does not establish long-term durability or nationwide suitability. The source does not yet provide multi-season performance, independent lifecycle results or a standard specification for routine use.
Source: Press Information Bureau / Ministry of Science and Technology, 2 September 2026, 20:21 IST.