Nitin Gadkari Announces Bio-Aviation Fuel and Bio-Bitumen Initiatives in Rajya Sabha
New Delhi [India], August 7: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted in Rajya Sabha that within the next five years, India’s aviation industry will use 20% bio-aviation fuel. He stated, “Within five years our aviation industry will use 20% of bio-aviation fuel, sustainable aviation fuel and that is to be starting it from parali (stubble) and the farmer will get the rate of Rs 2500 per ton for it.”
The minister also mentioned that the highway ministry is now using bio-bitumen in road construction, which helps reduce bitumen imports. Bio-bitumen is a bio-based binder derived from renewable sources like crop stubble and is used to bind the surfaces of paved roads.
“We are the largest road network in the world, 90% of roads we are using Bitumens layer and Bitumens consumption in 2023-24 was 88 lakh tons, 2024-25 which is expected to be 100 lakh tons. In total, we need to import 50% of the Bitumen and the annual import cost is Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore,” Gadkari explained.
The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) New Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun, has developed Bio Bitumen from stubble. Gadkari emphasized that farmers have now become ‘Urja Daata’ (energy providers).
“Our farmers are now not only Anna Daata (food providers), they are Urja Daata (energy providers), not only Urja Daata, they are Bitumen Daata and not only Bitumen Daata, they are now Hawa Irdhan Daata (air fuel providers),” the minister added.
A test section has been laid on the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar Section of NH-709AD in November 2022 for performance monitoring over three years to assess the suitability of bio-bitumen in road construction. NHAI is also planning a trial with bio-bitumen on the Jorabat-Shillong section of NH-40.
The benefits of bio-bitumen include reduced bitumen import, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and opportunities for farmers and MSMEs to generate revenue and provide employment.
Doubts Revealed
Nitin Gadkari -: Nitin Gadkari is an important person in the Indian government. He is the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways.
Rajya Sabha -: Rajya Sabha is one of the two houses of the Parliament of India. It is also called the Council of States.
Bio-Aviation Fuel -: Bio-Aviation Fuel is a type of fuel made from plants or other organic materials. It is used to power airplanes and is better for the environment.
Bio-Bitumen -: Bio-Bitumen is a material used to build roads. It is made from natural sources like plants instead of oil.
CRRI -: CRRI stands for Central Road Research Institute. It is a place where scientists study and develop new ways to build better roads.
IIP -: IIP stands for Indian Institute of Petroleum. It is a place where scientists study and develop new types of fuels and oils.
NH-709AD and NH-40 -: NH-709AD and NH-40 are names of highways in India. Highways are big roads that connect different cities and states.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions -: Greenhouse Gas Emissions are gases that trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. They make the planet warmer and cause climate change.
MSMEs -: MSMEs stands for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. These are small businesses that provide jobs and help the economy grow.
Stubble -: Stubble is the leftover part of crops like wheat and rice after they are harvested. Farmers usually burn it, but it can be used to make bio-fuel.
