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Experts from the road infrastructure sector have called for urgent adoption of sustainable materials and safer construction practices as India's rapid infrastructure expansion puts pressure on natural resources. Officials from CRRI highlighted the growing waste crisis caused by materials such as plastic, steel slag, and construction debris, and outlined new technologies that reuse industrial waste in road building. Industry leaders also stressed the need to balance growth with safety and sustainability, noting that road construction currently contributes significantly to environmental pollution.
Road safety and infrastructure experts have underlined the urgent need for new solutions, better practices, and stronger policies to ensure safer and more sustainable road construction, as conventional materials continue to strain the environment. Advertisement
At an industry event organised by the India chapter of the International Road Federation, the director of the Central Road Research Institute, Manoranjan Parida, pointed out that India's infrastructure expansion is progressing at an unprecedented pace. This rapid growth has sharply increased the demand for construction materials, whose extraction is steadily depleting natural resources.
He also highlighted that the country is dealing with a growing waste crisis alongside infrastructure expansion. Materials such as plastic waste, steel slag, red mud, construction and demolition debris, and municipal solid waste are creating serious disposal and environmental challenges.
To address these concerns, Parida said CRRI has developed several new materials and technologies aimed at integrating waste into road construction. One key solution includes the use of processed steel slag, a by-product of the steel industry, as a replacement for natural aggregates in road building. These technologies are intended to reduce dependence on natural resources while improving waste management outcomes.
Adding to the discussion, IRF president emeritus K K Kapila noted that despite significant progress in road infrastructure, India continues to face critical challenges related to safety, sustainability, and innovation. He emphasised the need to renew focus on building roads that are not only efficient but also safe and environmentally responsible.
Kapila further stressed that the long-term vision for the sector aligns with the goal of achieving both Carbon Zero and Fatality Zero under the Vision Zero framework. He said this would require wider adoption of green highways, resilient road designs, climate-responsive materials, and low-carbon construction technologies.
Currently, road construction remains one of the country's major contributors to environmental pollution, accounting for about 37 per cent of overall emissions, reinforcing the need for immediate and sustained corrective measures.
Source PTI
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