Published at December 23, 2024 by InfraJunction
New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated India’s first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on Saturday. The highway, located on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra, marks a significant milestone in sustainable road infrastructure. This pioneering project uses bio-bitumen, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional bitumen, enhancing the durability and sustainability of the highway.
This stretch has been developed using lignin-based bio-bitumen technology. Praj Industries led the project, in collaboration with CSIR - Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Oriental. The use of bio-bitumen in this project helps promote eco-friendly road construction, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
The use of lignin as a sustainable binder represents a major breakthrough in flexible pavement technology. It helps tackle the challenge of bitumen scarcity, which has been a concern for the country. Currently, India relies on imports for 50% of its bitumen supply. By using lignin, this new approach reduces India’s dependency on these imports, making road construction more sustainable and cost-effective.
This innovation supports global sustainability goals by generating revenue for bio-refineries and helping to mitigate stubble burning. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% compared to traditional fossil-based bitumen.
By utilizing India’s abundant lignocellulosic biomass, this development aligns with the country’s vision for sustainable industrial growth. It aims to promote both environmental and economic benefits.
Speaking at the event, Gadkari emphasized the importance of advancing green technologies and promoting industrial sustainability. He noted that these efforts align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). Gadkari highlighted that this initiative paves the way for large-scale domestic production, supporting a self-reliant and sustainable future for India.
Speaking to the media following the event, Gadkari stated, “There are 400 projects in the country to make CNG from biomass...CNG is much cheaper than petrol, and the pollution caused by CNG is also less than petrol... CNG saves a lot of money...farmers will benefit a lot from this." Earlier, the Union Minister, speaking in Jaipur informed that currently, 400 projects are in process, and 40 of them are already completed. CNG is being produced from parali in these projects and this has resulted in the use of a total of 60 lakh tonnes of parali, which has helped reduce pollution.”
He also mentioned that the burning of stubble in Punjab and Haryana is contributing to the pollution problem in Delhi.
He further added, “Now we are making CNG from the rice straw...Now the farmers, who are the 'annadata' and 'urjadata,' will become 'bitumendata'... This will help in creating value from waste and benefit the farmers also.”
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