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Context

• The First International Conference on Steel Slag Road, jointly organized by CSIR-CRRI and PHDCCI at New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure development in India.
• In this Conference, NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Saraswat released the ‘Guidelines for Utilisation and Processing of Steel Slag as Processed Steel Slag Aggregates in Road Construction’.
• The event focused on the transformative potential of utilizing steel slag in road construction to promote environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.

Details

• The guidelines developed by CRRI for steel slag utilisation provide a comprehensive framework for the effective and safe use of different types of steel slag in various types of road construction works including detailed framework for proper handling and storage of steel slag to prevent environmental contamination.
• The India’s First Steel Slag Road built at Hazira Surat by AMNS India and CSIR-CRRI in April 2022 using 100,000 tonnes, processed Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel slag aggregates developed at AMNS India Hazira plant. 
• This sustainable road project for its novel technological initiative received national and international recognition.

Steelmaking Slag

• Steelmaking slag, or steel slag, is a by-product from the production of steel during the conversion of hot metal to crude steel in a basic oxygen furnace, or during the melting of scrap in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF).
• The slag is generated as a melt and is a complex solution of silicates and oxides that solidify upon cooling.

What is Steel Slag Road?

• Steel slag is a byproduct of steel making formed during the separation of the molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces.
• Steel slag roads are constructed using steel slag, a waste material from steel production. Instead of discarding this byproduct, it is processed and used as an aggregate in road construction. 
• The steel slag is mixed with other materials and advanced technologies to create a durable and sustainable road surface.
• Although a massive amount of steel slag is utilised in the US and European countries, only 22 per cent of the produced slag is reused in the industry of China, and about 70 million tonnes of steel slag is released in China every year.

Steel Slag Road Technology

• Steel slag road technology is a new method that utilises steel slag, a waste byproduct of steel production, to construct stronger and more durable roads.
• The process involves treating the steel slag to eliminate impurities and metal content, then using it as an aggregate in road base or sub-base layers.
• Processed steel slag possesses high strength, hardness, abrasion resistance, skid resistance, and excellent drainage capacity, making it ideal for road construction.
• This technology enables the large-scale utilisation of waste steel slag from steel plants, addressing the approximately 19 million tonnes of steel slag produced annually in India.

Advantages:

Eco-friendly waste management:

• Utilises steel slag waste in road construction, providing an environmentally friendly solution.
• Reduces landfill burden and environmental impact from steel slag disposal.

Cost-effective and long-lasting:

• Steel slag roads are approximately 30 per cent cheaper to construct than traditional paving methods.
• These roads are highly durable and weather-resistant, leading to significantly lower maintenance costs.

Minimising natural resource depletion:

• Reduces the reliance on natural ballast and aggregates, conserving valuable resources.
• Helps preserve natural ecosystems by eliminating the need for traditional road construction materials.

Managing steel slag waste:

• India produces around 19 million tonnes of steel slag annually, expected to reach 60 million tonnes by 2030.
• Inefficient disposal methods have led to large slag piles around steel plants, causing pollution.

Innovative road in Surat:

• The first steel slag road in Surat has been praised for its technological innovation.

Challenging terrain success:

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO), in collaboration with CRRI and Tata Steel, constructed a steel slag road in Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the technology’s suitability for difficult terrains and essential infrastructure.

Driving national implementation:

• The success of steel slag road technology has garnered interest from various government agencies and ministries.
• The Ministry of Steel, in partnership with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is promoting the widespread adoption of this technology.
• These efforts aim to advance sustainable road infrastructure development and achieve India’s ‘Waste to Wealth’ mission

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the significance of Steel Slag Road Technology in India's infrastructure development. Evaluate its potential benefits for sustainable development, economic efficiency, and environmental conservation.

SOURCE: MANORAMA YEARBOOK https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/india/2024/07/02/steel-slag-road.html#:~:text=Steel%20slag%20road%20technology%20is,stronger%20and%20more%20durable%20roads.&text=The%20process%20involves%20treating%20the,base%20or%20sub%2Dbase%20layers.