New Delhi, Jan 7 (.) union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said that the country has become the first in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen.
Gadkari called the development as a historic milestone in India’s road infrastructure.
Speaking at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Technology Transfer Ceremony titled ‘From Farm Residue to Road: Bio-Bitumen via Pyrolysis’, the union minister highlighted how agricultural waste can be converted into a valuable national resource.
He noted that bio-bitumen is a transformative step towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Gadkari said that by making use of the waste generated from agriculture, it reduces pollution generated by crop residue burning, and further strengthens the circular economy.
With 15 per cent blending, the country can save nearly Rs 4,500 crore in foreign exchange and substantially reduce its dependence on imported crude oil.
According to the minister, the initiative is going to benefit farmers by empowering them, create new rural livelihood opportunities, and also boost the rural economy.
Gadkari said that bio-bitumen reflects the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s commitment towards sustainable development, self-reliance, and environmentally responsible growth for a greener as well as cleaner future.
The Minister congratulated the CSIR and its scientists, and also expressed gratitude to minister Jitendra Singh for constant support in achieving the pioneering breakthrough.
Bio-bitumen is a renewable, petroleum-free material with adhesive properties, useful in binding of roads and waterproofing. It is produced from organic materials like waste generated from agriculture, and is an alternative to the traditional bitumen.
The production costs can be less than the traditional bitumen, apart from it being eco friendly.
The country has a road network of more than 63 lakh km, which is the second largest in the world, and approximately in 90 per cent of the nation’s roads bitumen is used.
Currently, 88 lakh ton of bitumen is used in the country and the demand is likely to go up to 100 lakh ton, while 40 to 50 per cent bitumen is imported in the country, costing Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 crore annually.
It is estimated that around 85 lakh ton bio bitumen production is possible with agricultural biomass.
. APS PRS