Overview
- CSIR handed production licences to multiple domestic manufacturers at a technology transfer event in New Delhi on January 7.
- The binder, developed by CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum with CSIR–CRRI, is derived from residues such as paddy straw and can be blended into conventional road mixes.
- CSIR reports encouraging laboratory and pilot results, including a successful 100‑metre trial on the Jorabat–Shillong Expressway (NH‑40).
- Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said India is the first to commercially produce bio‑bitumen and projected about ₹4,500 crore in forex savings with 15% blending.
- MoS Jitendra Singh cited scope to displace ₹25,000–30,000 crore of imported bitumen annually, as the Indian Biogas Association flagged parallel straw‑to‑fuel plans with investment and forex benefits.