Transforming Urban Roads: CSIR-CRRI and MCD Forge Strategic Partnership

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. On this occasion, a Bi-partite Technology Management Agreement was also 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.

Addressing the gathering,. Sanjeev Khirwar, IAS, Commissioner, MCD, emphasized the importance of technology-driven approaches in urban road planning and maintenance. He noted that the collaboration would strengthen MCD’s technical capabilities while enabling faster and more durable repairs through technologies such as ECOFIX.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Ch. Ravi Sekhar, Director, 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, Flexible Pavement Division, CSIR-CRRI, who is also the inventor of Steel Slag Road and ECOFIX Technology. He briefed the participants on the objectives and expected outcomes of the collaboration.(UPDATED ON 12TH JUNE 2026)