CSIR-CRRI and MCD Forge Strategic Partnership for Urban Road Transformation
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed between CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on 10 June 2026 for functional and structural evaluation of roads, construction quality supervision, and capacity building of MCD engineers and staff. Concurrently, a Bi-partite Technology Management Agreement was signed for implementation of ECOFIX, an iron and steel slag aggregate-based instant pothole repair technology developed by CSIR-CRRI.
The partnership aims to enhance the quality, durability, and sustainability of Delhi's road infrastructure through scientific road assessment, quality assurance, and adoption of innovative maintenance technologies. MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar emphasized the importance of technology-driven approaches in urban road planning and maintenance, noting that the collaboration would strengthen MCD's technical capabilities while enabling faster and more durable repairs through technologies such as ECOFIX.
Dr. Ch. Ravi Sekhar, Director of CSIR-CRRI, highlighted the institute's seven decades of contributions to the road sector and stated that the partnership would provide technical support to MCD in road evaluation, quality supervision, and deployment of sustainable technologies. The initiative is being led by Shri Satish Pandey, Head of Flexible Pavement Division at CSIR-CRRI and inventor of both Steel Slag Road and ECOFIX Technology, who briefed participants on the objectives and expected outcomes of the collaboration.
The ECOFIX technology represents a key component of this partnership, utilizing processed iron and steel slag aggregates for rapid and durable pothole repair. This approach supports the national waste-to-wealth vision by utilizing industrial by-products for sustainable road maintenance, improving durability while reducing environmental impact such as air pollution. Improved road conditions and timely maintenance are expected to reduce road dust generation, while the use of steel slag and recycling-based technologies promotes conservation of natural resources and supports circular economy practices.
The program was attended by senior officials from both organizations, including Shri L.D. Meghwal (Additional Commissioner, MCD), Shri Prem Chand Meena (Engineer-in-Chief, MCD), Shri Brijesh Kumar (Chief Engineer, Quality Control, MCD), Shri Sandeep Malhotra (Chief Engineer, Stores, MCD), Shri Maneesh Rastogi (Consultant, Planning and Former Chief Engineer, MCD), Dr. Vinod Karar (Chief Scientist and Head, PME), and Dr. K. Ravinder (Chief Scientist and Head, ILT Division, CSIR-CRRI), along with scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders from the urban infrastructure sector.