Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: PIB
Context: India has developed the world’s latest Steel Road technology by using steel slag.
What is Steel Slag Road?
Steel slag is a byproduct of steelmaking, and is produced during the separation of molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. Steel slag roads are roads constructed using steel slag. Instead of discarding this waste material, it is processed and used as an aggregate in road construction. The steel slag is mixed with other materials and technologies to create a durable and sustainable road surface.
Developed by: The technology, pioneered by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), allows for the large-scale utilization of waste steel slag from steel plants in road construction.
Benefits:
- It is part of the “Waste to Wealth” initiative and addresses environmental degradation caused by waste steel slag.
- Steel slag roads are well-suited to India’s terrain, offering cost savings of 30% and three times the lifespan of traditional roads.
- It is resistant to weather conditions.
- The success of steel slag roads has been demonstrated in various projects, including in Surat, Arunachal Pradesh, and on National Highway NH-66.
