PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, March 24: Tata Steel has set a benchmark of sustainability by utilizing its slag-based aggregates in the construction of National Highway (NH)-33.
Over 1.2 million tonnes of slag-based aggregates have been utilized in the construction of the four-lane, 44.2 Km long stretch from Saherbera to Mahulia section of NH-33 developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
This stretch of road, constructed using steel slag, was inaugurated by Union minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari yesterday.
Tata Steel established the usage of processed steel slag aggregates in the construction of the National Highway in 2019 under technical collaboration with the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).
Tata Steel is also actively engaged along with other Steel companies in the task force formed by the Ministry of Steel for the development of design guidelines and specifications for the utilization of steel slag in road construction.
In the endeavor to transform steel slag into sustainable aggregates, Tata Steel has set up a state-of-the art accelerated weathering facility for processing LD slag through steam aging. A dedicated laboratory has been set up to ensure Quality Assurance for the product.
Tata Steel had launched India’s first branded LD slag products –Tata Aggreto and Tata Nirman.
The use of slag-based manufactured aggregates helps in the preservation of biodiversity by reducing the need for mining of natural aggregates and eliminates the requirement of transportation of aggregates across large distances.
