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Bio-Bitumen Utilisation in Indian Road Infrastructure
Context:
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has approved two research projects to focus on laboratory evaluation of bio-bitumen and assessing its long-term performance in road pavements.
More on News:
- Projects are assigned to IIT Roorkee and Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) New Delhi in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) Dehradun.
- A test section was laid on the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar Section of NH-709AD in November 2022. Performance monitoring is planned for the next three years.
- National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering a trial of bio-bitumen on the Jorabat-Shillong section of NH-40.
- Envisaged benefits include reduction in bitumen imports, decreased Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, and potential revenue generation and employment opportunities for farmers and MSMEs.
About Bio-bitumen:
- Bio-bitumen is a sustainable binder made from renewable sources like vegetable oils, crop stubble, algae, lignin (wood component), and animal manure.
- It serves as an alternative to traditional petroleum-based bitumen, which is derived from crude oil distillation.
- Produced via pyrolysis, bio-bitumen involves heating organic materials to around 500°C in the absence of oxygen, resulting in a product with a lower carbon footprint compared to conventional bitumen.
- This method helps utilise waste materials and addresses issues like stubble burning, promoting environmental sustainability.
- Bio-bitumen features excellent waterproofing and adhesive properties.
- It can be used in various applications, including road construction, roofing, and waterproofing.
Other Road Construction Measures Taken:
- Implementation of Green Highways Policy: The government has implemented the Green Highways (Plantation, Transplantation, Beautification and Maintenance) Policy, 2015, to carry out roadside and median plantation, landscaping, and transplantation.
- Use of alternate materials: The government is promoting the use of alternate materials and the reuse of waste materials in road construction. Fly ash is being used to construct road embankments, flyovers, and ROBs.
- Bamboo Crash Barrier: It was made using the Bambusa Balcoa bamboo species treated with creosote oil and coated with recycled High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE). It has a higher recycling value of 50-70% compared to 30-50% for steel barriers. The bamboo crash barrier is seen as an eco-friendly, cost-effective alternative to steel barriers.