F   rom research to roads, CSIR is taking innovation to the field. CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), New Delhi, and CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI), Bhopal, jointly organised a one-day workshop on “Innovative Materials and Advanced Composites for Sustainable Infrastructure” at CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal on 19th August 2026, as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of CSIR-CRRI.

The workshop brought together around 300 experts, engineers, academicians, industry representatives and policymakers from organisations including MP PWD, MPRDC, NHAI, MANIT Bhopal, NITTTR Bhopal and SPA Bhopal, providing a vibrant platform for sharing innovations in sustainable construction, advanced materials, recycling and infrastructure rehabilitation.

The programme was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Rakesh Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Public Works Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, in the gracious online presence of  Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Government of India, as Guest of Honour.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rakesh Singh highlighted Positioning PWD’s role beyond building roads/bridges — improving citizens' lives, under the motto "Public Welfare through Public Works" (लोक निर्माण से लोक कल्याण), geo-tagged pothole/damage reporting, and the importance of sustainable rainwater harvesting and digital technologies for strengthening road infrastructure.  He advised for strong coordination among CSIR-CRRI, CSIR-AMPRI, MP PWD, MPRDC, Railways, academia and industry to produce concrete, time-bound action plans.      

 Dr. N. Kalaiselvi emphasised the need to take CSIR innovations from laboratories to the field through stronger collaboration with government agencies and industry to develop and implement technologies for public benefit. She informed that CSIR-CRRI & CSIR-AMPRI developed technologies on Steel slag, fly ash,  Bio-Bitumen and other waste-based sustainable road materials will be useful for infrastructural development of Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR-CRRI, highlighted CRRI’s 75-year journey of scientific excellence and nation building, stressing the importance of converting research into practical, sustainable and field-ready infrastructure solutions. Dr. Thallada Bhaskar, Director, CSIR-AMPRI, welcomed the participants and underlined the role of advanced materials in building a sustainable future.

Shri Bharat Yadav, IAS, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation, highlighted Madhya Pradesh’s initiatives in quality infrastructure and capacity building of engineers, aligned with the Developed India @2047 vision. The inaugural programme was also attended by Shri Sibi Chakravarthy M, IAS, Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Building Development Corporation, and Shri R. L. Verma, Engineer-in-Chief, Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department.

The technical sessions showcased innovations including geopolymer concrete, waste utilisation in highways, box-jacking technology integrated with soil nailing for road and railway underpasses, full-depth reclamation, bio-stimulated soil stabilisation, natural-fibre geosynthetics, fibre-reinforced asphalt, fibre-reinforced polymer composites and advanced rehabilitation technologies.

A key highlight was the panel discussion on the adoption roadmap for innovative materials and technologies in highway projects, focusing on how research outcomes and field demonstrations can be translated into large-scale infrastructure applications. The workshop reinforced a clear message: India’s infrastructure of tomorrow must be sustainable, resilient, resource-efficient and innovation-driven. By bringing together researchers, government, academia and industry, CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI reaffirmed their commitment to turning scientific innovation into real-world infrastructure impact.

The one-day workshop was concepted and coordinated by Dr. Kanwar Singh, Scientist G, CSIR-CRRI,    Dr K Ravinder, Scientist G, CSIR-CRRI, Dr. (Er.) Manish Mudgal Scientist G, CSIR-AMPRI under the mentorship of Director CSIR-CRRI & Director CSIR-AMPRI.*