SRINAGAR: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has called for faster adoption of steel slag–based technology for sustainable road construction, particularly in difficult and hilly regions, saying its use in Himalayan states and Union Territories remains limited and needs to be expanded.
Addressing an event in New Delhi marking the signing of an agreement between the Technology Development Board (TDB) and Visakhapatnam-based Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited for the commercial production of ECOFIX, the Minister said targeted outreach and training were essential to scale up the technology.
He informed that workshops are being organised to familiarise state agencies with steel slag–based road construction methods. A two-day workshop will be held in Jammu and Kashmir next week, followed by similar programmes in other states and Union Territories.
Singh said hill and Himalayan regions stand to benefit the most from the technology due to short working seasons, heavy rainfall and frequent road damage. However, he noted that awareness among field-level engineers and officials remains uneven.
Tracing the development of the technology, the Minister said pilot trials began nearly two years ago in Surat, Gujarat, and parts of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh. Since then, steel slag–based repair solutions have been adopted to varying degrees in states such as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. He added that many potential users were still unaware of the innovation, highlighting the need for wider dissemination by government agencies and industry partners.
The agreement formalises the commercial rollout of ECOFIX, a ready-to-use pothole repair mix developed by the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) with support from the Technology Development Board. The product uses processed iron and steel slag, converting industrial waste into a construction material that can be applied even in wet or waterlogged conditions, reducing repair time and traffic disruption.
Officials said the technology has undergone laboratory validation and extensive field testing under Indian climatic and traffic conditions. Studies indicate improved durability and lower lifecycle costs compared to conventional road repair methods. The use of steel slag also supports circular economy objectives by reducing dependence on natural aggregates and addressing industrial waste disposal challenges.
Singh stressed that publicly funded research must deliver tangible public benefits, saying innovations like ECOFIX demonstrate how science can move from laboratories to everyday use by addressing common but critical issues such as potholes, which impact road safety and commuter comfort.
He also highlighted the evolving nature of public–private partnerships, noting that in this project the private partner’s investment matches government support, reflecting a more balanced collaboration model.
Under the project, the Technology Development Board and the Visakhapatnam-based firm plan to set up an iron and steel slag processing facility with an annual capacity of nearly two lakh tonnes. Commercial production is expected to begin by the end of 2027, with the facility likely to generate direct and indirect employment.
Concluding his address, the Minister said wider adoption of steel slag technology could help states build stronger and more durable roads in regions prone to heavy rainfall and extreme weather, while also improving sustainability and cost efficiency. He urged state governments and the media to help spread awareness so that the technology reaches areas where it is needed most, particularly across the Himalayan belt.
The agreement signing ceremony was attended by CSIR Director General Kalaiselvi, Technology Development Board Secretary Rajesh Kumar Pathak, CSIR–CRRI Director CH Ravi Sekhar, senior officials from the Department of Science and Technology, TDB and CSIR, and representatives of Ramuka Global Eco Work Private Limited.
