Steel Slag Technology Pitched for Sustainable Roads in Hilly Regions

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has recommended accelerated adoption of steel slag–based technology for sustainable road construction, particularly in hilly and Himalayan regions. He noted that despite proven benefits, the technology’s uptake in Himalayan states and Union Territories remains limited and requires targeted outreach, training and awareness-building among state agencies.

Focus on Himalayan States and Capacity Building

Addressing an event marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board and Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited, the Minister said workshops are being organised to familiarise engineers and officials with steel slag applications. A two-day workshop on steel slag technology is scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir next week, followed by similar programmes in other states and UTs. He observed that regions with short construction seasons, heavy rainfall and frequent road damage stand to gain the most from the technology.

Journey and Current Adoption of the Technology

Dr. Jitendra Singh traced the development of the technology, stating that pilot trials began around two years ago in locations such as Surat in Gujarat and parts of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, steel slag–based road repair solutions have been deployed to varying degrees in Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. However, he highlighted that awareness remains uneven, even among senior engineers, underscoring the need for proactive dissemination by government agencies and industry partners.

ECOFIX and Circular Economy Benefits

The agreement enables the commercial rollout of ‘ECOFIX’, a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute with support from the Technology Development Board. ECOFIX uses processed iron and steel slag, converting industrial waste into a valuable construction input. Designed for application even in wet or waterlogged conditions, it reduces repair time, traffic disruption and lifecycle costs while aligning with circular economy objectives.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Steel slag is an industrial by-product reused in road construction.
• ECOFIX is a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by CSIR-CRRI.
• The Technology Development Board supports commercialisation of public-funded research.
• Circular economy focuses on waste reuse and reduced resource extraction.

Public–Private Partnership and Future Plans

The Minister emphasised that publicly funded research must translate into tangible public benefits. He noted a shift towards balanced public–private partnerships, with private investment matching government support in this project. The TDB and Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited plan to establish an iron and steel slag processing facility with an annual capacity of nearly two lakh tonnes, with commercial production expected by the end of 2027, supporting resilient infrastructure, sustainability and employment generation.