Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ) has introduced a unique and eco-friendly road made from steel slag at Hazira Port in Gujarat. This 1.1-kilometre road is the first of its kind at any private port in the world and marks a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure.
Turning Waste into Roads
The road connects between the coal storage yard and the port's Multi-Purpose Berth (MPB-1). What makes this road special is the material used—steel slag. Steel slag is a leftover by-product from the steel-making process. Instead of treating it as waste, it has now been turned into a durable and high-performance road surface.
The idea was to use this waste material in a useful way that helps the environment. The project also aimed to cut down on construction costs and reduce carbon footprint.
Built with Expert Help
The construction was done as part of the second phase of Hazira’s Bulk & General Cargo Terminal expansion. For this endeavour, APSEZ collaborated with the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI).
Experts at CSIR-CRRI created a road design using flexible pavement technology. This makes the road stronger, more durable, and capable of handling heavy port traffic.
Inauguration and Future Outlook
The road was officially opened by Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat from NITI Aayog. He was joined by top scientists and senior officials, including Dr N. Kalaiselvi and Satish Pandey, the scientist who developed the steel slag road technology with Dr Manoranjan Parida. Though this is India’s third road using steel slag, it is the first built within a port—setting a global milestone.
This move highlights APSEZ’s efforts to mix innovation with sustainability. By using industrial waste for building infrastructure, Adani Ports is leading the way in green logistics and promoting smarter use of resources in port development.
