Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that crop waste or ‘parali’ converted to bio-butamen can save around Rs 40,000 cr import annually for India and also avoid air pollution caused by ‘Parali’ burning. This has been made possible using indigenous bio-bitumen technology developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) New Delhi and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, he added.
The Minister said that even partial substitution of conventional bitumen with bio-bitumen will significantly cut import dependence, strengthen economic resilience, and ensure that infrastructure development remains insulated from global supply disruptions.
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a Technology Transfer event organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for large-scale industry adoption of the indigenously developed “Bio-Bitumen from Lignocellulosic Biomass” technology.
The event was also graced by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, senior officials, scientists, industry representatives, and stakeholders.
Dr. Jitendra Singh described the initiative as a transformative step that converts a major environmental challenge into a national economic opportunity.
He said that India produces nearly 600 million tonnes of crop residue annually, much of which is burnt, leading to severe air pollution. At the same time, India consumes about 88 lakh tonnes of bitumen every year, nearly 50-58% of which is imported at a cost of ?25,000-30,000 crore. He said this technology bridges both challenges simultaneously by converting agricultural waste into a valuable resource for road construction.
Calling it a true example of “Waste to Wealth”, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the concept of waste is rapidly becoming irrelevant in a modern, innovation-driven economy. “There is no such thing as waste, every resource has value if harnessed through science and technology,” he said, adding that agricultural residue like paddy straw can now become a source of income for farmers instead of a cause of pollution.
Highlighting the multi-dimensional impact of the technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh said it delivers on multiple national priorities simultaneously, reducing pollution from stubble burning, lowering import bills, supporting farmers with additional income, promoting circular economy, and advancing India’s Net Zero commitments. He also pointed out that the success of this initiative reflects strong convergence between ministries, institutions, and industry, demonstrating the government’s approach of breaking silos and fostering public-private partnerships.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the initiative as a historic convergence of agriculture, science, and industry. He said the technology provides a practical and scalable solution to stubble burning while increasing farmers’ income and reducing environmental damage. He added that in the current global scenario, self-reliance in critical sectors like infrastructure is essential, and innovations like bio-bitumen will play a crucial role in achieving that goal.
Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR Dr. N. Kalaiselvi highlighted the rapid pace of adoption of the technology, stating that within a short span, multiple industries have already taken it up, with production and field implementation underway.
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