CSIR‑CRRI’s Sustainable Road Technologies and Rajkot Noise‑Pollution Study – Ministry of Science & Technology Update

<h2>Key Technological Interventions by <span class="key-term" data-definition="Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute, a premier R&D institute under CSIR focusing on road and transport technologies (GS3: Infrastructure, Science & Technology)">CSIR‑CRRI</span></h2> <p>The Ministry of Science &amp; Technology informed Parliament that the institute has introduced a suite of eco‑friendly road‑construction and traffic‑management solutions over the last three years. While a comprehensive mobility study for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Rajkot – a major city in Gujarat, the focus of a recent noise‑mapping study under GPCB (GS2: Polity – state‑level governance)">Rajkot</span> is pending, a noise‑pollution project covering the city has been completed.</p> <h3>Key Developments (2023‑2026)</h3> <ul> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="Steel Slag Road Technology – uses steel industry by‑products as aggregates for eco‑friendly, durable road construction (GS3: Infrastructure, Environment)">Steel Slag Road Technology</span>: Utilises steel‑slag waste as a binding material, reducing reliance on natural aggregates.</li> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="ECOFIX – a ready‑to‑use polymer‑based material for rapid pothole repair, reducing traffic disruption (GS3: Infrastructure)">ECOFIX</span>: Ready‑to‑apply pothole filler for quick road maintenance.</li> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="Modified Mix Seal Surfacing (MSS+) – an advanced surface treatment that enhances road longevity and reduces maintenance (GS3: Infrastructure)">MSS+</span>: Modified mix seal surfacing for longer‑lasting pavements.</li> <li>PATCHFILL: Mechanised machine for efficient pothole repairs.</li> <li>Mobile Cold Mixer‑cum‑Paver (<span class="key-term" data-definition="Mobile Cold Mixer‑cum‑Paver – equipment that prepares and lays cold bituminous mixes on site, enabling rapid construction (GS3: Infrastructure)">MCMP</span>).</li> <li>REJUBIT &amp; REJUPAVE: Technologies for rejuvenating and recycling aged bituminous layers.</li> <li>Plastic Waste‑based Geocell Technology: Uses plastic waste to reinforce pavement layers.</li> <li>Frequency‑based noise barrier technology: Mitigates traffic noise in urban corridors.</li> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="iRASTE – Intelligent Road and Traffic Management System, an ITS solution for real‑time traffic monitoring and safety (GS3: Transport, Technology)">iRASTE</span>: Intelligent transport solution for traffic management and road safety.</li> </ul> <h3>Implementation & Collaboration</h3> <p>Several of these technologies have been transferred to industry for commercialisation. Field‑level deployment is being carried out in partnership with the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Highways Authority of India – the apex body responsible for development, maintenance and management of national highways (GS3: Infrastructure, Governance)">NHAI</span>, Border Roads Organisation (<span class="key-term" data-definition="Border Roads Organisation – a construction agency under the Ministry of Defence responsible for building and maintaining roads in border areas (GS3: Defence, Infrastructure)">BRO</span>), and various State Public Works Departments.</p> <h3>Rajkot Noise‑Pollution Study</h3> <p>Although a full mobility study for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Rajkot – a major city in Gujarat, the focus of a recent noise‑mapping study under GPCB (GS2: Polity – state‑level governance)">Rajkot</span> is not yet done, the institute completed a project funded by the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Gujarat Pollution Control Board – state agency tasked with monitoring and controlling pollution, including noise, in Gujarat (GS3: Environment, Governance)">GPCB</span>. Launched in September 2022, the study titled “Noise Mapping, Identification of Hotspots Violating Prescribed Norms and Mitigation Plan for Ensuring Compliance with Noise Pollution Rules, 2000” covered Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, and the final report has been submitted to GPCB.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding these innovations is vital for GS‑3 (Science &amp; Technology, Infrastructure, Environment) and GS‑4 (Ethics in technology). The shift to waste‑to‑wealth approaches aligns with India’s sustainable development goals, while the collaboration model illustrates inter‑agency coordination, a recurring theme in Polity and Governance questions.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <ul> <li>Scale up pilot projects through increased funding and faster commercialisation pathways.</li> <li>Integrate <span class="key-term" data-definition="iRASTE – Intelligent Road and Traffic Management System, an ITS solution for real‑time traffic monitoring and safety (GS3: Transport, Technology)">iRASTE</span> with city traffic control centres for real‑time data‑driven decisions.</li> <li>Conduct comprehensive mobility and traffic studies for Rajkot and other tier‑2 cities to complement noise‑mapping efforts.</li> <li>Promote public‑private partnerships to accelerate adoption of sustainable road materials across national highways.</li> </ul> <p>These steps will reinforce India’s commitment to resilient, eco‑friendly infrastructure and safer urban mobility.</p>