Gadkari inaugurates India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 at Mansar, Nagpur
The Nagpur–Mansar bypass stretch of NH-44 in Maharashtra, built with lignin-based bio-bitumen, was inaugurated on 21 December 2024.
Summary
Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 at Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra, on 21 December 2024. The stretch was built using lignin-based bio-bitumen technology developed by Praj Industries in collaboration with CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Oriental. Lignin is a natural polymer found in plant cell walls, and using it as a binder is meant to reduce India's dependence on imported bitumen, which makes up about 50% of the country's supply.
Key facts
- Stretch
- Nagpur–Mansar bypass, NH-44, Maharashtra
- Inaugurated
- 21 December 2024, by Nitin Gadkari
- Significance
- India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch
- Material
- Lignin-based bio-bitumen (Praj Industries)
- Partners
- CSIR-CRRI, NHAI, Oriental
- Import dependence
- About 50% of India's bitumen supply is imported
Practice MCQs 3 questions
India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch, inaugurated in December 2024, is on NH-44 at:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Mansar, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Mathrubhumi (ANI) and CNBC-TV18: Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 at Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra (the Nagpur–Mansar bypass).
The bio-bitumen used on the Nagpur–Mansar stretch of NH-44 is based on which natural polymer?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Lignin
Mathrubhumi (ANI) and CNBC-TV18: the stretch was developed using lignin-based bio-bitumen technology by Praj Industries with CSIR-CRRI, NHAI and Oriental.
Reports on the bio-bitumen highway stretch said imports account for roughly what share of India's bitumen supply?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 50%
Mathrubhumi (ANI) and CNBC-TV18: lignin bio-bitumen aims to reduce India's dependence on imports, which constitute about 50% of the total bitumen supply.