Mumbai, January 13, 2024 – Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI AAYOG, inaugurated India’s pioneering Steel Slag Road section on NH-66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway. Developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), this innovative technology utilizes steel industry waste to build robust and eco-friendly national highways.
CSIR-CRRI’s Steel Slag Road Technology
Dr. Saraswat highlighted the transformative impact of CSIR-CRRI’s Steel-Slag Road Technology, emphasizing its role in turning steel industry waste into a valuable resource. The technology is assisting the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in constructing highways that are not only stronger but also environmentally friendly.
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JSW Steel’s Successful Construction
Under CSIR-CRRI’s technological guidance, JSW Steel has successfully constructed a 1 km long four-lane steel-slag road section on the Indapur-Panvel Section of NH-66 Mumbai-Goa. Approximately 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel slag were converted into processed steel slag aggregates at JSW Steel’s Dolvi, Raigad plant.
These processed steel-slag aggregates exhibit superior mechanical properties compared to natural aggregates, making them an excellent choice for road construction.
Appreciation for Collaborative Efforts
Shri G S Rathore, Chief Operating Officer, JSW Steel Ltd, commended the collaborative efforts of CSIR-CRRI and expressed gratitude for the support received from NHAI. The project’s success is a testament to effective collaboration between research institutes, industries, and government bodies.
CSIR-CRRI’s Ongoing Initiatives
Dr. Manoranjan Parida, Director, CSIR-CRRI, highlighted ongoing initiatives, stating that CSIR-CRRI, under a sponsored research project of the Ministry of Steel, is developing national guidelines for the utilization of processed steel slag in road construction. The institute has successfully implemented steel slag in road construction projects in Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh in collaboration with different steel industries.
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Technological Features and Economic Benefits
Anshumali Srivastava, NHAI Regional Officer, Mumbai, and Chief General Manager, praised the steel-slag road section for its novel technological features and exceptional performance.
Shri Satish Pandey, Principal Scientist CSIR-CRRI and Project Leader of the Steel Slag Road project, shared that the bituminous steel-slag road on NH-66 is 28% thinner than conventional bituminous roads, while the cement concrete section maintains identical thickness. Both road sections are approximately 32% more economical than conventional roads and have demonstrated better durability.
The successful inauguration of India’s First National Highway Steel-Slag Road marks a significant step towards sustainable and cost-effective highway construction in the country.
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