PRELIMS – INFRASTRUCTURE
- India’s First Bio-Bitumen Highway Stretch
- Location: NH-44, Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- Technology: Lignin-based bio-bitumen.
- Collaborators: Praj Industries, CSIR-CRRI, NHAI, Oriental.
- What is Bio-Bitumen?
- A sustainable alternative to traditional bitumen.
- Derived from lignin, a natural polymer in plant cell walls.
- Offers similar properties to conventional bitumen with lower environmental impact.
- Importance of Lignin
- Found abundantly in agricultural waste.
- Renewable resource.
- Reduces dependency on imported traditional bitumen (India imports 50% of its supply).
- Promotes local production and addresses shortages.
- Environmental Benefits
- Cuts greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% compared to fossil-based bitumen.
- Helps reduce stubble burning, a significant source of air pollution.
- Alignment with Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Supports self-reliance and domestic production.
- Generates revenue for bio-refineries.
- Contributes to sustainable development and economic growth.
- CNG Production from Biomass
- Announced by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.
- 400 projects planned; 40 already completed.
- Utilized 60 lakh tonnes of stubble for CNG production.
- Reduces pollution from stubble burning.
- Transforming Farmers’ Role
- Farmers shift from food producers to energy and resource providers.
- Agricultural waste is converted into bio-bitumen, supporting sustainability.
Additional Notes:
- Bio-Bitumen: Sustainable, lignin-derived alternative to traditional bitumen, promoting local production and reducing imports.
- Lignin: Renewable polymer abundant in agricultural waste; addresses bitumen shortages.
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Initiative promoting self-reliance, local production, and sustainable economic growth.
- CNG from Biomass: Clean fuel derived from agricultural waste, reducing pollution and supporting sustainable energy.
[box] Mains Question – Highlight the importance of India’s first bio-bitumen highway on NH-44. How can lignin-based bio-bitumen contribute to sustainable infrastructure and self-reliance?
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