India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.

Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb pollution caused by crop residue burning.

He described bio-bitumen as a transformative step towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Speaking at the event, Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said the development marked the beginning of a new era of clean and green highways in India, adding that it would also advance the Waste to Wealth mission and strengthen the country’s push towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat.