Govt to allow 35% bio-bitumen mixing, saving Rs 10,000 cr in forex outflows

Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government will allow mixing of lignin up to 35 per cent in petroleum-based bitumen, a large part of which is imported from other countries.

Bitumen is a black substance produced through the distillation of crude oil and is widely used for making roads and roofs.

"We have the largest road network in the world. 90 per cent of roads are using bituminous layers. Bitumen consumption in 2023-24 was 88 lakh tonnes. In 2024-25 it is expected to be 100 lakh tonnes. 50 per cent of the bitumen is imported. And annual import cost is Rs 25,000-30,000 crore," Gadkari said while replying to questions in Rajya Sabha.

The minister said the farmers are now not only producing foodgrains but they have become energy producers. Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, had developed bio-bitumen from paddy straw.

The minister expressed concern that there is a problem of air pollution in Delhi