In a major milestone for sustainable infrastructure, CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Jindal Steel have achieved a Guinness World Record for constructing the “Longest Road Built with Processed Steel Slag Aggregates” at Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. The project highlights how industrial by-products can be transformed into valuable construction resources, supporting India’s transition towards circular economy-based infrastructure development.

The record-setting road has been built using processed steel slag aggregates generated from steel manufacturing operations. Instead of being treated as waste requiring disposal, the slag has been processed and utilised as an alternative construction material, demonstrating its potential as a substitute for conventional aggregates in road development.

The initiative represents a collaboration between scientific research and industry expertise. CSIR-CRRI has worked on developing technologies for the utilisation of industrial waste materials in road construction, while Jindal Steel has supported the application of these solutions at an industrial scale.

Steel slag aggregates offer an opportunity to reduce dependence on naturally sourced construction materials while addressing the challenge of managing industrial waste generated during steel production. The project reflects the growing focus on sustainable construction practices, where waste materials are increasingly being evaluated for their engineering applications.

The Raigarh project further strengthens India’s efforts to develop greener infrastructure solutions by combining material innovation with large-scale implementation. It demonstrates how research-driven approaches can create new pathways for resource efficiency in sectors such as roads, highways and urban infrastructure.

The achievement was supported by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science & Technology, while Naveen Jindal, Chairman, Jindal Steel, was recognised for his contribution towards advancing sustainable infrastructure solutions through industry-led innovation.

The Guinness World Record marks a significant step in India’s journey towards adopting alternative construction materials and showcases the potential of steel slag utilisation as a scalable solution for future infrastructure development.