Goa explores using Plastic Waste in Road Construction

13 Jul 2023 CW Team

In response to directives from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the Public Works Department (PWD) of Goa is currently exploring the feasibility of incorporating plastic waste into road construction across the state.

According to the ministry's latest guidelines, the utilisation of plastic waste is now mandatory for the wearing coat of service roads and slip roads throughout national highways and the periodical renewal coat of main carriageway on national highways within a 50 km radius of an urban area with a population exceeding five lakh.

PWD Principal Chief Engineer, Uttam Parsekar, explained that while plastic waste was previously used in road construction in Ponda several years ago, the ministry now provides specific specifications regarding the type of plastic that can be employed. The plastic waste can either be transformed into molten form or granules before usage. This requires the implementation of a distinct system during the road construction process.

The Union Transport Ministry has mandated the use of plastic waste not only in national highway projects but also for roads in all centrally sponsored projects. Parsekar stated that Goa is in the process of establishing the necessary mechanisms to comply with the ministry's guidelines.

In earlier attempts, Goa had utilised usable components of construction waste and debris as a road base. However, this approach proved ineffective as the debris often contained a mixture of waste, and Goa lacks a processing plant to handle it adequately. Consequently, only about 10 per cent of the waste could be utilised.

Additionally, Goa has yet to implement a method for reusing waste generated from removing the old road surface to lay new roads. While the old layers can be successfully removed from road surfaces, Parsekar acknowledged that they have not yet found a way to utilise this waste for the construction of new roads.

Real Estate

03 Apr 2026

Loomcraft Enters South India with Kerala Store Launch

Loomcraft has launched its exclusive store in Kerala, marking its entry into South India and a key step in its nationwide expansion strategy. The move targets a region driven by tourism and premium real estate demand, where outdoor spaces play a central role in hospitality and residential experiences.Kerala’s growing base of luxury resorts, boutique hotels, villas and gated communities has created strong demand for specialised outdoor furniture. However, the region has remained underserved, with buyers relying on imports or generic products not suited to humid, coastal and monsoon-heavy cond..

Mild Steel Prices Seen Rising to Rs 61,000 Per Tonne

Mild steel prices in India, currently around Rs 58,000 per tonne, are expected to rise to nearly Rs 61,000 per tonne in April, indicating an increase of about Rs 3,000 per tonne. The anticipated rise reflects structural pressures driven by geopolitical tensions, energy constraints and limited raw material availability.Ongoing global conflict has disrupted energy markets, leading to LNG shortages that are affecting domestic steel production. Small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly those dependent on gas-based processes, are witnessing production cuts due to constrained energy supply, re..

Vedanta Expands Transgender Workforce to 75 Employees

Vedanta has strengthened its commitment to workplace inclusion by employing 75 transgender individuals across its businesses, including Vedanta Aluminium, Hindustan Zinc, Sesa Goa, FACOR and Cairn Oil & Gas. The initiative reflects sustained hiring efforts since 2022 to build equitable opportunities across operations, corporate and technical roles.Transgender employees are engaged in functions such as operations, finance, logistics, HR, CSR, healthcare and security, with provisions for internal mobility to support career progression. The company has implemented structured policies, includi..