The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) has introduced Rejubit, an indigenous rejuvenating agent designed to restore and recycle old bitumen roads. The launch took place on Thursday, with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, highlighting its potential to significantly reduce road construction costs and India’s reliance on imported materials.
Rejubit, developed by CRRI, is set to bring down the cost of road relaying by 66%, providing an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. Senior principal scientist at CRRI, Ambika Behl, stated that the agent allows for recycling old road materials at one-third of the cost currently incurred using imported additives. Once produced at scale, Rejubit is expected to lower demand for new raw materials, a significant portion of which are currently imported.
Speaking at the launch, Gadkari emphasised the importance of sustainable infrastructure solutions, noting that India imports around 45 lakh tonnes of bitumen annually due to a production deficit. With the total requirement standing at 95 lakh tonnes, while domestic refineries produce only 50 lakh tonnes, initiatives like Rejubit could play a key role in reducing this import burden.
“We need high-quality roads at a lower cost. By incorporating advanced materials like Rejubit, we can enhance road quality while cutting down expenses,” Gadkari said.
The manufacturing of Rejubit will be undertaken by Ooms India, a private company that has obtained a licence from CRRI. This collaboration is expected to facilitate widespread adoption of the agent across the country, making road construction more economical and sustainable.
Later in the day, during a Question Hour session in Lok Sabha, Gadkari revealed that in the last three financial years, 103 actions were taken against contractors and concessionaires for substandard work, delays, and non-compliance with project timelines in national highway construction. In six cases, bank guarantees from contractors were encashed as a penalty for non-performance.
With Rejubit poised to revolutionise road maintenance, India moves a step closer to achieving its infrastructure goals while promoting sustainable development and reducing dependency on imported materials.
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