Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on 20th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI jointly organized a one-day workshop on August 20, 2026, in Bhopal to exchange knowledge on innovative materials and sustainable infrastructure technologies. Held as part of CSIR-CRRI’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations (July 2026–July 2027), the event focused on field-ready solutions for transportation infrastructure. Key outcomes included a roadmap for adopting research innovations into large-scale highway projects and the promotion of digital management tools.
Key Points / Main Content
Event Overview and Infrastructure Vision
The workshop featured 300 delegates from organizations including NHAI, MP PWD, MPRDC, and various academic institutions.
Discussions aligned with the "Developed India @2047" vision, focusing on quality infrastructure and the capacity building of engineers.
The Madhya Pradesh government highlighted the "Lok Path" mobile application for enhanced road infrastructure management and emphasized sustainable rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge around roads.
Innovative Construction and Rehabilitation
Box-Jacking and Soil Nailing: Presentation of integrated technologies for road and railway underpasses.
Waste Utilization: Strategies for incorporating waste materials into highway construction.
Soil Stabilization: Use of biostimulated calcite precipitation to stabilize expansive soils.
Reclamation: Discussion on full-depth reclamation techniques and their practical applications.
Advanced Composites and Geopolymers
Geopolymeric Concrete: Development of resource-efficient and fly ash-based geopolymeric concrete mix designs.
Natural Fiber Geosynthetics: Use of sisal and other natural fibers for sustainable ground improvement and asphalt pavement reinforcement.
Bridge Superstructures: Implementation of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites for bridge construction.
Impact Analysis
CSIR and Research InstitutionsImpact
They serve as the primary drivers of R&D for sustainable infrastructure, celebrating 75 years of technical contribution.
Action Required
Must lead collaborations with industry and government engineering departments to ensure laboratory innovations are implemented in real-world scenarios.
Government Engineering Departments (MP PWD, MPRDC, NHAI)Impact
These bodies are the primary beneficiaries of new construction technologies, digital management tools, and sustainable practices.
Action Required
Need to integrate the "Lok Path" application into management workflows and adopt the technical roadmap for using innovative materials in highway projects.
Industry Representatives and ContractorsImpact
Industry stakeholders gain access to emerging materials (geopolymers, FRP composites) and advanced construction practices that can improve project durability and sustainability.
Action Required
Participate in field demonstrations and partner with CSIR to scale up the use of sustainable materials and waste products in infrastructure construction.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI): A premier national laboratory and lead organizer of the workshop, showcasing 75 years of contributions to sustainable transportation infrastructure and rehabilitation technologies.
CSIR-Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR-AMPRI): A research institute that co-organized and hosted the workshop, focusing on the development and application of innovative materials and advanced composites.
Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi: Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, who advocated for industry-wide collaboration to implement CSIR-developed technologies for real-world infrastructure challenges.
Lok Path mobile application: A digital initiative mentioned for its role in improving road infrastructure management and adopting field-ready sustainable solutions in Madhya Pradesh.
Developed India @2047 vision: A national strategic framework used to align infrastructure quality and the capacity building of engineers with long-term development goals.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-AMPRI Organise
Workshop on Innovative Materials and Advanced
Composites for Sustainable Infrastructure
प्रव तथ: 20 AUG 2026 6:33PM by PIB Delhi
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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