Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that India’s aviation industry is set to incorporate 20% bio-aviation fuel within the next five years. This initiative aims to leverage biofuels derived from agricultural stubble, benefiting farmers and promoting sustainable energy practices.
“Within five years, our aviation industry will use 20% bio-aviation fuel, starting with fuel made from crop stubble. Farmers will receive Rs 2,500 per ton for the stubble,” Gadkari stated during a parliamentary session.
He also highlighted the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ adoption of bio-bitumen for road construction, a move aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported bitumen. Bio-bitumen, a renewable binder derived from crop stubble, is now being used to pave roads across the country.
“We have the largest road network in the world, with 90% of our roads using a bitumen layer. In the fiscal year 2023-24, bitumen consumption reached 8.8 million tons, and it is expected to rise to 10 million tons in 2024-25. Currently, we import 50% of our bitumen, costing Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore annually,” Gadkari explained.
The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in New Delhi, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) in Dehradun, has developed bio-bitumen from crop stubble. This innovation transforms farmers into ‘Urja Daata’ (energy providers), according to the minister.
“Our farmers are no longer just ‘Anna Daata’ (food providers); they are now ‘Urja Daata’ (energy providers), ‘Bitumen Daata’ (bitumen providers), and ‘Hawa Irdhan Daata’ (air fuel providers),” Gadkari added.
A test section using bio-bitumen was laid on the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar section of NH-709AD in November 2022 for a three-year performance monitoring period. Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering a trial on the Jorabat-Shillong section of NH-40.
The envisaged benefits of bio-bitumen include reducing bitumen imports, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and providing revenue and employment opportunities for farmers and small to medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
(ANI)