Steel slag–based road construction technology has been recommended for faster adoption in hilly and Himalayan states of India. Proposed in January 2026, the initiative aims to improve road durability, enable faster repairs, and promote circular economy practices in regions facing harsh weather and frequent road damage.

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• Government recommends steel slag roads to improve durability in hilly and Himalayan regions with harsh climatic conditions

• Technology uses steel industry by-product, reducing waste and supporting circular economy infrastructure practices

• Roads built with steel slag show higher strength and resistance to water and landslide-related damage

• ECOFIX pothole repair mix enables faster road repairs, even in wet or waterlogged conditions

• CSIR-CRRI developed ECOFIX with support from the Technology Development Board

• Pilot projects conducted in Surat and Northeast; deployed across multiple Indian states

• Workshops planned to improve awareness among engineers and state road agencies

• Public–private partnership planned for large-scale commercial rollout by 2027