Uttarakhand will build green highways using agricultural stubble in a key advancement that could potentially enhance the long-term infrastructure and environmental safety, following the development of an indigenous technology of bio-bitumen using agricultural stubble at the CSIR Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP). The innovation will also allow farmers to transform the crop residue, which often gets wasted due to burning the residue into a significant part of construction rather than polluting the air and using fossil fuel.
Another green alternative to petroleum bitumen that is being used in the construction of roads is bio-bitumen. The technology invented by CSIR-IIP utilizes the waste materials that are collected in their fields, including paddy straws and other residues of crops. The biomass is transformed into bio-oil by using a scientific process that entails thermal and chemical treatment, and into bio-bitumen by further purification. This green compound can be combined with traditional bitumen, and no significant revisions will be needed regarding the methods of road-building.
According to the officials, the new technology is a direct solution to two significant problems, which are stubble burning and carbon emissions. One of the largest causes of air pollution is crop residue burning, particularly in northern India. The program will promote the elimination of air pollution and poor health, as it will allow farmers to sell the agricultural waste rather than burning it, establishing a source of economic value in the form of a payment.
The innovation was unveiled recently at a technology demonstration show where the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, referred to the innovation as a step towards clean and green highways. He noted that India now relies heavily on its imported bitumen needs, and bio-bitumen would help to cut this supply greatly and also contribute to the climate aspirations of the country.
Uttarakhand has become one of the pioneers of this technology in line with its vision of sustainable development and environmentally-friendly infrastructure. There have already been encouraging performance and lifespan results recorded on trial roadways, which are made using bio-bitumen just like the conventional road materials.
Researchers suppose that the popularization of bio-bitumen will revolutionize the road construction industry in India. Other than environmental advantages, the technology encourages a circular economy, with the waste turned into useful resources. It can also be used to bring more income to the farmers, thereby boosting the economies of the rural regions.
Bio-bitumen-based roads are set to increase along the national and state highways within the next few years, with successful test pilot projects and increasing support of such policies. This project is a major milestone in the process of India going green in terms of infrastructure, air purification, and creative application of local technology.
