Delhi-based climate-tech startup Vishwa Hara Chakra believes it can. Founded in 2024 by educator Megha Rathee and sustainability researcher Professor Ashwin Gopinath with a bootstrapped investment of ₹25 lakh, the company has developed Eco-Concrete, a cement-free construction material made from industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag.
According to the company, the technology reduces carbon emissions by up to 80% compared with conventional cement while generating less than 1% manufacturing waste. The startup has also introduced Zephyr Insulation, a thermal insulation solution for infrastructure in extreme climates, and has expanded into waste-to-energy through Compressed Bio-CNG.
Its technologies have been used in projects associated with organisations including TATA, Adani Group, ITDC, NBCC, MES, and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), with deployments across Kargil, Rohtang Pass, and the Noida International Airport. Since its launch, the company has generated over ₹5 crore in revenue, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable construction solutions.
Building Climate Solutions From Industrial Waste
Megha Rathee spent nearly two decades in education as a teacher and principal before deciding to channel her passion for sustainability into entrepreneurship. A chance meeting with Professor Ashwin Gopinath, a researcher specialising in sustainability and material science, led to a shared vision of reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. Their research focused on two interconnected challenges: India’s growing volume of construction and industrial waste, and the significant carbon emissions associated with conventional cement production.
This eventually resulted in Eco-Concrete, a construction material that replaces traditional cement with industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag. According to the company, the innovation not only diverts waste from landfills but also supports a circular economy by converting discarded materials into durable construction products.
The founding team later expanded with climate-tech entrepreneur Abhishek Chhazed, while Lt. General (Retd.) J.S. Nain joined the advisory board, bringing strategic guidance backed by more than four decades of military experience. Speaking about the company’s mission, Megha Rathee has said her goal was to move beyond raising awareness about sustainability and create practical climate solutions with long-term impact.
Expanding Sustainable Infrastructure Across India
Beyond Eco-Concrete, Vishwa Hara Chakra has diversified into technologies designed to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. Its Zephyr Insulation solution is used for water tanks, pipelines and buildings operating in extreme weather conditions.
According to the company, the insulation reduces heat loss by 60–80% in water tanks and up to 70% in pipelines, helping protect infrastructure in high-altitude Himalayan regions, including installations supporting the Indian Army. The startup has also ventured into waste-to-energy by producing Compressed Bio-CNG from agricultural and municipal waste.
Although the founders initially faced scepticism while introducing cement-free construction materials, they secured a breakthrough with a ₹1.8 crore project for TATA at the Noida International Airport. Since then, the company has supplied sustainable construction materials for projects associated with TATA, Adani Group, ITDC, NBCC, MES and the Border Roads Organisation, while also completing projects in Kargil and Rohtang Pass. Looking ahead, the startup plans to expand its technologies to more climate-sensitive regions, including Bikaner and Jaisalmer, as demand for sustainable infrastructure continues to grow.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India generates an estimated 150–500 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste every year, while conventional cement production remains one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these twin challenges will require innovation alongside policy, investment and responsible industry practices.
At The Logical Indian, we believe stories like Vishwa Hara Chakra demonstrate how collaboration between education, science and entrepreneurship can produce solutions that are both environmentally responsible and commercially viable. While every emerging technology must continue to prove its effectiveness and scalability over time, initiatives that encourage circular economy practices and reduce dependence on carbon-intensive materials deserve attention and informed public discussion.
As India continues to build the infrastructure needed for its future, how can innovators, businesses and policymakers work together to make sustainable construction the norm rather than the exception?
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