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. Organised as part of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of CSIR-CRRI, being held from July 2026 to July 2027, the workshop provided a platform for knowledge exchange on emerging materials, advanced construction practices and sustainable rehabilitation technologies for transportation infrastructure. Around 300 delegates representing key stakeholder organisations, including MP PWD, MPRDC, NHAI, CSIR-AMPRI, NITTTR Bhopal, MANIT Bhopal and SPA Bhopal along with representatives from academia and industry, participated in the workshop. The programme was inaugurated by Shri Rakesh Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Public Works Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh as Chief Guest along with gracious online presence of Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India as Guest of Honor.

The inaugural session commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Thallada Bhaskar, Director, CSIR-AMPRI, followed by the theme address by Dr. Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, Director, CSIR-CRRI, who highlighted CSIR-CRRI’s 75-year journey and contributions to the nation, along with the workshop’s focus on field-ready sustainable infrastructure solutions.

Shri Rakesh Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Public Works Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, delivered the inaugural address, emphasizing sustainable rainwater harvesting around road and bridge infrastructure for groundwater recharge and digital initiatives such as the Lok Path mobile application for improved road infrastructure management in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Government of India, addressed the gathering with motivating words and highlighted the importance of various road infrastructure related innovations happening in CSIR laboratories. DG, CSIR also urged the industry representatives and delegates from engineering departments to collaborate with CSIR for effective implementation of technologies for solving real world infrastructure challenges.

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 inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Kayitha Ravinder, Head, ILT Division and Chief Scientist, CSIR-CRRI.

The technical programme comprised three thematic sessions on innovative construction and rehabilitation technologies, sustainable materials and recycling, and advanced materials and composites for infrastructure applications. Technical Session I, chaired by Dr. K. Ravinder, CSIR-CRRI, featured Dr. Kanwar Singh, CSIR-CRRI, on box-jacking technology integrated with soil nailing for road and railway underpasses, and Dr. Ravi Shankar S, CSIR-CRRI, presented scientific methods for the rehabilitation of distressed highway geostructures, with particular emphasis on reinforced-soil (RS) walls, supported by field case studies.

Technical Session II, chaired by Dr. Manish Mudgal, CSIR-AMPRI, with Shri Durga Prasad, Maple Highways, as Co-Chair, featured Dr. A. K. Sinha, CSIR-CRRI, on utilization of waste materials in highway construction; Prof. Bhaskar C. S. Chittoori, Boise State University, USA and Geotech Industries, on biostimulated calcite precipitation for stabilization of expansive soils; and Dr. Gottumukkala Bharath, CSIR-CRRI, on full-depth reclamation and its applications.

Technical Session III, chaired by Dr. Manoj Shukla, CSIR-CRRI, with Dr. Vinod Karar, CSIR-CRRI, as Co-Chair, included Dr. Manish Mudgal, CSIR-AMPRI, on fly ash-based geopolymeric concrete; Dr. Shubham Raj, CSIR-CRRI, on resource-efficient geopolymer concrete mix design; Dr. G. S. Parvathi, CSIR-CRRI, on natural fibre geosynthetics for sustainable ground improvement; Dr. G. Vamsi Krishna, CSIR-CRRI, on sisal fibre reinforcement for sustainable asphalt pavements; and Shri V. Mukesh Vashan, CSIR-CRRI, on fibre-reinforced polymer composites for bridge superstructures. Industry perspectives were presented by Techfab International Pvt. Ltd., Strata Geosystems (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Maccaferri Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion on the adoption roadmap for innovative materials and technologies in highway projects, chaired by Dr. Chalumuri Ravi Sekhar, CSIR-CRRI; Dr. Thallada Bhaskar, CSIR-AMPRI; Shri B. P. Borasi, MP PWD; Dr. Kanwar Singh, CSIR-CRRI; and Dr. K. Ravinder, CSIR-CRRI. The discussion focused on pathways for translating research outcomes and field demonstrations into wider implementation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Hemant Shukla, CSIR-AMPRI.

 

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