India’s construction industry has experienced rapid growth over the years. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s first advance estimates, the sector is expected to contribute around Rs 15.6 trillion to the gross value added in 2024-25 – an 8.6 per cent increase over the previous year. This surge is expected to facilitate exponential growth in the demand for construction materials in the coming years. However, sustainability remains a key concern, as traditional materials such as cement, steel and bricks have significant environmental impacts. To address this, alternative materials such as fly ash, plastic, geosynthetics and high-performance concretes are emerging as viable solutions. As India pursues its infrastructure goals, these alternatives will play a crucial role in creating a sustainable and resilient construction sector.
Modified bitumen technology for roads
Materials such as modified bitumen, including crumb rubber modified bitumen and polymer modified bitumen, new types of asphalt (infused with steel fibre and bitumen), and bituminous binders are being leveraged to decarbonise the road sector. For example, in December 2024, Praj Industries unveiled India’s first sustainable road utilising lignin-based bio-bitumen, a sustainable alternative to fossil-derived bitumen. The eco-friendly road spans the Nagpur-Mansar bypass on NH-44 and marks a milestone in sustainable infrastructure development. The technology can partially replace fossil-derived bitumen and is being used to create the country’s first bio-bitumen national highway. The innovation reportedly has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by fossil-derived bitumen by around 70 per cent.
Additionally, as of January 2025, eight major roads in Kasaragod, Kerala, are being revamped using eco-friendly German full-depth reclamation technology. Under this method, advanced machinery is used to excavate the road to a depth of 30 cm, subsequently blending the material with stabilising compounds such as cement and lime. After a seven-day reinforcement process, a layer of bituminous tar is applied for enhanced durability.
High-performance concrete and geosynthetics
New-age technologies are also being deployed to advance the uptake of sustainable materials in the construction sector. Nanogence technology, which integrates eco-friendly materials such as fly ash and slag into concrete, has been deployed for the construction of the Noida International Airport in Jewar. This technology reduces the reliance on traditional cement, thereby lowering the carbon footprint of the project.
The railways have also implemented sustainable measures such as the use of pre-stressed and reinforced concrete. In January 2025, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited completed the construction of a pre stressed concrete bridge under the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail (HSR) corridor project. Furthermore, in November 2024, a precast reinforced concrete track slab manufacturing facility was established to support the HSR infrastructure.
Further, substantial portions of the retaining wall and erosion control measures for the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway have been completed with the application of geosynthetics technology, implemented by Strata Global. Moreover, in December 2024, the public works department of Nagpur adopted Malaysian technology, using ultra high-performance fibre reinforced concrete in the construction of the 2.85 km long RTO flyover.
Bamboo, slag and plastic waste
Bamboo is a sustainable, fast growing material with high tensile strength, making it an excellent alternative to steel in certain applications, especially lightweight structures. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, in July 2024, announced plans to develop India’s first bamboo-themed metro station in Bengaluru, showcasing bamboo as a primary construction material. Further, the Kempegowda International Airport Terminal 2 in Bengaluru has incorporated bamboo tubes for ceilings and pillars, manufactured and supplied by Moso International BV.
Furthermore, slag, a by-product of steel production, is being used as a substitute for cement or aggregates, reducing carbon emissions and waste. The South Eastern Railway Zone of Indian railways collaborated with Tata Steel in February 2024 for the development of eco-friendly rail infrastructure utilising slag-based aggregates. The initiative is expected to play a key role in constructing blanketing layers for railway tracks.
In order to recycle the plethora of waste generated by the country, the construction sector can be integrated into a circular economy. For example, in December 2024, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority decided to construct all roads in Visakhapatnam using plastic waste. Furthermore, in August 2024, the Government of India and the World Bank signed an agreement to create the Green National Highway Corridors Project (GNHCP). The GNHCP promotes the use of local and marginal materials, such as lime, fly ash and waste plastic.
The way forward
The adoption of alternative materials in the construction sector is a crucial step towards decarbonisation. These materials not only lower the carbon footprint but also promote waste recycling, energy efficiency and the creation of a circular economy. The way forward will require collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders and research institutions to develop and implement innovative, cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials on a larger scale.
