Plan to introduce green roads in  national and state highways, says Rajeev Agarwal

Environment-friendly technologies are the need of the hour providing a "better quality of life". Bitchem, a unit of Guwahati-based SM Group which started working on a mission of green roads in the Northeast has today constructed one green road in six states of Northeast. "With the vision of promoting energy-efficient and clean construction practices in our country - currently Green Roads is implemented majorly in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) roads but we plan to introduce it in National Highways and State Highways" Rajeev Agarwal CEO of Bitchem told Business Northeast.

Q. What inspired you to take on the mission of green roads? Was it a purely business decision or something more than it?
A. - Every year about 2.5 million Indians die from air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. In conventional hot mix technology - 1500 litres of fossil fuel is burned for every km of road paved thereby igniting air pollution and global warming at an alarming rate. This is where the inspiration for embarking upon the journey of Green Roads Mission took birth. The need for a cleaner, greener and sustainable technology without durability and longevity became impeccable in order for our future generations to live and that's how we came up with the concept of the Green Roads Mission through the invention of "High Life Pollution Free BitChem Cold Mix Technology".

When one thinks of business - he would certainly consider an industry which is thriving and has already been established whereas the journey that BitChem has chosen is still considered a "New Technology '' by the Indian Government in spite of building 9000+ km throughout the nation. Hence rather than calling it business, BitChem has the sole mission of National Implementation of High Life Pollution Free Coldmix Technology and creating nationwide employment opportunities for the youth of the nation through its Green Roads Mission.

Q. What does it take to construct a green road? Is it different from a normal road? It would be interesting to know about the entire process.
A.- Today, with more and more people getting conscious about the environment in which we live, it is imperative we use environment‐friendly technologies that deliver the equivalent or better “quality of life” to the self and public. The BitChem Coldmix Technology or Green Roads ensures zero pollution to the environment as it requires no heating of aggregate and binder, unlike the normal roads which require heating thereby involving the burning of fossil fuels contributing to air pollution. It is an energy-efficient, eco-friendly and pollution-free method of road construction which mitigates the carbon footprint and prevents adverse effects on the health of the workers. Additionally, it gives long-lasting roads that are economical while providing higher progress, faster connectivity, and cost-effectiveness while eradicating the need for subsidized fuel equivalent to Rs. 2,100 Crore.

Today, this product is starting to touch the lives of every common man, be it the worker or the people on the street both in urban and rural spaces. It is giving us a cleaner environment with  Green Roads and clearly proved to be a long-term definite solution for climate change.

Q. Readers would be interested to know about the cost of construction of a green road and the time taken.
A. On an average the cost of construction of a green road would vary anywhere between Rs. 200-220 per square metre. A Cold Mix road can be constructed at 200% faster progress than a normal road. The Green Road could be paved in the morning and traffic could ply after 6-8 hours on the same day.

Q. I believe a lot of research and development must have gone into undertaking such an exercise. Do you have a separate unit which undertakes research?
A. - Yes we have in house R&D Facility at BitChem Knowledge Centre, near Guwahati and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility from Denmark in Durgapur, West Bengal which is India's first Technology Development Board, Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India funded venture in the road sector. We also have R&D tie-ups with renowned institutions like IIT-Patna, and others.

Q. How many green roads have been constructed in the Northeast? What kind of benefits has accrued to the commuters on those stretches?
A. - BitChem is proud to have constructed no less than 1 Green road in six states of the Northeast except Manipur. We are yet looking for an opportunity to venture into Manipur and would request the Govt of Manipur through this medium to grant us the opportunity.

There are numerous benefits for the commuters starting from during to after the construction of green roads -  

• No health hazard to workers due to zero heating of bitumen.

• Women Empowerment - Village women can largely benefit from Green Jobs as it helps garner employment for them at their own convenience.
  
•  Provides the commuters opportunity and access to employment and a better lifestyle by connecting remote areas.
•  Ensures their ease of access is not limited to just 5 years as BitChem High Life Roads have proven higher surface life as compared to normal roads.
  
  The Govt fund which is allocated for the maintenance of roads after 5 years could be utilized for the economic development of the area as BitChem Cold Mix road performance is unmatchable even after 5 years.

Q. Have you constructed green roads elsewhere in the country?
A. Yes, BitChem started its journey of Green Roads Mission in Assam and with sheer hard work and a zeal to build Green Roads throughout the country we have been able to establish a pan-India presence.

Q. What are the future plans for green roads?
A. With the vision of promoting energy-efficient and clean construction practices in our country - currently Green Roads is implemented majorly on PMGSY roads but we plan to introduce it on National Highways and State Highways. This vision is currently under making with dedicated ongoing R&D and hopefully, we will be able to achieve it soon enough. At BitChem, we believe the philosophy of Green Roads should not be only limited to rural roads, it should rather be implemented in various schemes under the Government of India.

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