Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Tuesday advocated wider adoption of steel slag–based road construction and repair technology, particularly in hilly and Himalayan regions, to build more durable and sustainable roads.
Addressing an event marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board (TDB) and Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited, the Minister said awareness of the technology remains limited in several hill States and Union Territories despite its proven benefits. He said that a two-day workshop on steel slag road technology will be held in Jammu and Kashmir next week, followed by similar programmes in other States and UTs.
Singh noted that regions with short construction seasons, heavy rainfall and frequent road damage – especially Himalayan states – stand to gain the most from the technology. However, uneven awareness among engineers and road-building agencies has slowed adoption, he said, underscoring the need for targeted outreach and training.
The agreement enables the commercial rollout of ‘ECOFIX’, a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). The product converts processed iron and steel slag into a durable construction input and can be applied even in wet or waterlogged conditions, significantly reducing repair time and traffic disruption.
Tracing the development of the technology, Singh said pilot trials began about two years ago in Surat, Gujarat, and parts of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, steel slag-based solutions have been used to varying degrees in states such as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh, though many potential users remain unaware of its availability.
Officials said the technology has undergone laboratory validation and field testing under Indian climatic and traffic conditions, with studies indicating better durability and lower lifecycle costs compared to conventional repair methods. The use of steel slag also supports circular economy goals by reducing dependence on natural aggregates and addressing industrial waste disposal.
Emphasising the importance of translating publicly funded research into tangible public benefits, Singh said innovations like ECOFIX demonstrate how science can address everyday challenges such as potholes, which impact road safety, vehicle maintenance and commuter stress. He also pointed to a shift in public-private partnerships, noting that the industry partner’s investment in the project matches government support.
Under the partnership, TDB and the industry partner plan to establish an iron and steel slag processing facility with an annual capacity of nearly two lakh tonnes, with commercial production expected to begin by end-2027. The facility’s proximity to major steel plants is expected to ensure steady raw material supply and generate employment in the region.
Calling for wider dissemination of the technology, the Minister urged state governments and the media to help spread awareness so that steel slag roads can be adopted more rapidly, especially in the Himalayan belt and other climate-vulnerable regions.
The agreement-signing ceremony was attended by CSIR Director General Dr Kalaiselvi, TDB Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak, CSIR-CRRI Director Dr C H Ravi Sekhar, senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology and CSIR, and representatives of Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited.
