Nagpur: “In this modern world, when we humans are generating waste at a huge amount, the concept of ‘waste to wealth’ is the only way left to secure our future,” said Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Shipping in Nagpur on Sunday.
Gadkari made this statement during a programme ‘WISE23’ conducted by Indian Women Scientist Association, Nagpur held at CSIR-NEERI Auditorium. “We have used 20 lakh ton garbage for construction of a road, which helped to reduce the garbage dump by 20 metre in Gazipur area in Delhi. This is the perfect example of ‘waste to wealth’ and every scientist should innovate such ideas for every field,” said the Minister.
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Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
Gadkari also appealed that scientists should come up with innovative technologies that encourage ‘Waste to wealth’. The Central Government is also extending its help to scientists for such innovations, said the Minister. Gadkari said a new technique has already been launched under which crop stubble will be used to prepare bio-bitumen at farmlands using a tractor-mounted machine.
He said farmers have the capacity to expand their role beyond being foodgrain producers and they can become manufacturers of bio-bitumen which can be used in construction of roads. He said that making bitumen, a key input for laying roads, from agricultural waste such as rice husk, can help save up to Rs 30,000 crore annually in import bills.
“India requires around 80 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually for roads. Of this, around 50 lakh tonnes is provided by domestic refineries for processing crude oil, and around 30 lakh tonnes is imported costing around Rs 30,000 crore,” said Gadkari. He informed that, Punjab and Haryana in north India are also producing bio-bitumen along with rice and wheat and the agriculture is being diversified in power and electricity.
The Union Minister suggested that it is possible to produce Bio-Bitumen by cultivating Bamboo in the wasteland near Vekoli and other public sector companies in Nagpur. Gadkari has also urged the scientists to do rural and agriculture-oriented research by adopting the need based, region-wise as well as technology, research and entrepreneurship futuristic vision to make the country and the society prosperous.
He said, research has no value in the absence of proven technology, availability of raw material, economic feasibility and marketing ability. He underlined the need to do research on the available resources like fly ash, Nag river water, garbage and solid waste in Nagpur.
Many dignitaries, including CSIR-NEERI’s Director Dr Atul Vaidya, Retired Dean of Nagpur Medical College Dr Vibhavari Dani, etc. were present on the occasion. Office bearers of Indian Women Scientist Association, CSIR-NEERI scientists and students were present during the event.
