How Steel Slag Became India’s Infrastructure Asset, Explains Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the importance of “out-of-the-box thinking” while explaining how steel slag was integrated into India’s road and infrastructure projects. He said lack of integrated problem-solving often delays innovation, noting it took years of persistence to convince engineers and industry to use steel slag in road construction. Gadkari recalled engaging major steel producers and issuing policy circulars to allow its use, which later created economic value. He said steel slag is now widely used in cement and concreting, including major projects like the Worli-Bandra Sea Link, reducing costs and improving sustainability.