India’s Aviation Industry to Fly High with 20% Biofuels by 2029

India is on the cusp of a green revolution in aviation, with plans to integrate 20% bio-aviation fuel into the sector by 2029. The initiative, spearheaded by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, will see biofuels derived from agricultural stubble (parali) play a significant role. This move not only aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation industry but also promises a new revenue stream for farmers, who will receive Rs 2,500 per ton for their stubble.

Gadkari emphasized that this shift to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) marks a critical step toward energy self-sufficiency. “Within five years, our aviation industry will use 20% bio-aviation fuel, starting with parali. Farmers will be compensated Rs 2,500 per ton for their contributions,” he stated.

In addition to aviation, Gadkari highlighted the role of bio-bitumen in road construction, which is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imported bitumen. With 90% of India’s roads utilizing bitumen layers, the consumption for the current fiscal year is pegged at 88 lakh tons, a figure projected to rise to 100 lakh tons by 2024-25. Currently, 50% of India’s bitumen is imported, costing between Rs 25,000 to 30,000 crore annually.

Bio-bitumen, developed by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), uses stubble as a raw material. This innovation positions farmers not just as food producers but as energy and bitumen suppliers, according to Gadkari.

Pilot projects using bio-bitumen have already begun, including a test section on the Shamli-Muzaffarnagar highway. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is also considering trials on other national highways. The benefits of this technology include reduced imports, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and increased employment opportunities for farmers and small businesses.

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