New Delhi, March 30 -- Minister of Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, on Monday said that India can save nearly Rs 40,000 Cr. in imports in a year, by using bio-bitumen in road construction.
At a technology transfer event organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to promote industry adoption of the crop waste-based construction material, Singh said even partial substitution of conventional bitumen with bio-bitumen could significantly cut import dependence. It would also strengthen economic resilience and shield infrastructure development from global supply disruptions.
India consumes about 88 lakh tonnes of bitumen every year, nearly 50-58 per cent of which is imported for Rs 25,000-30,000 Crore, according...