+
Road Ministry to use plastic for NH construction
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

Road Ministry to use plastic for NH construction

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) is encouraging the use of waste plastic in highway construction, especially on National Highways (NH) within a 50-km periphery of urban areas with a population of 0.5 million or more. A stretch of road has recently been constructed using waste plastic on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan. Portions of the Delhi-Meerut expressway and Gurugram-Sohna road have also been planned for construction using plastic waste.

In fact, plastic waste has already been used in wearing courses of NH construction on a pilot basis in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The technology used is in compliance with the guidelines of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) for the use of waste plastic in hot bituminous mixes in wearing courses. Construction of 1 km of a four-lane highway can help dispose about 7 tonne of waste plastic.

On the preparation of the guidelines being used as a framework for the construction of the highways, SK Nirmal, Secretary-General, IRC, says, “IRC prepared ‘Guidelines for the Use of Waste Plastic in Hot Bituminous Mixes (Dry Process) in Wearing Courses (IRC:SP:98)’ in 2013. The document was an outcome of a number of successful pilot projects completed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Delhi. The same was also corroborated in a MoRTH-sponsored research scheme (R-85). After the publication of the IRC document, many road projects using waste plastic have been completed under PMGSY. MoRTH had also issued ‘Guidelines for Use of Waste Plastic in Bituminous Wearing Courses’ within 50-km periphery of an urban area, having a population of more than 5 lakh. The document envisages the use of waste plastic at 6-8 per cent of the weight of the bitumen depending on the climatic conditions of high or low rainfall areas. This should address some of the problems of safe and meaningful disposal of waste plastic, which is otherwise a serious environmental problem.”

Additionally, the ministry has mobilised nearly 26,000 people across the country to spread awareness on plastic waste management. Over 61,000 hours of shramdaan have been given to collect plastic waste, resulting in the collection of nearly 18,000 kg of waste plastic throughout the country.

Under its ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ initiative, the Government of India has launched an awareness drive to curb the use of plastic by discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and distributing cloth and jute bags.



                    

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORTH) is encouraging the use of waste plastic in highway construction, especially on National Highways (NH) within a 50-km periphery of urban areas with a population of 0.5 million or more. A stretch of road has recently been constructed using waste plastic on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan. Portions of the Delhi-Meerut expressway and Gurugram-Sohna road have also been planned for construction using plastic waste.In fact, plastic waste has already been used in wearing courses of NH construction on a pilot basis in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The technology used is in compliance with the guidelines of Indian Roads Congress (IRC) for the use of waste plastic in hot bituminous mixes in wearing courses. Construction of 1 km of a four-lane highway can help dispose about 7 tonne of waste plastic.On the preparation of the guidelines being used as a framework for the construction of the highways, SK Nirmal, Secretary-General, IRC, says, “IRC prepared ‘Guidelines for the Use of Waste Plastic in Hot Bituminous Mixes (Dry Process) in Wearing Courses (IRC:SP:98)’ in 2013. The document was an outcome of a number of successful pilot projects completed in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Delhi. The same was also corroborated in a MoRTH-sponsored research scheme (R-85). After the publication of the IRC document, many road projects using waste plastic have been completed under PMGSY. MoRTH had also issued ‘Guidelines for Use of Waste Plastic in Bituminous Wearing Courses’ within 50-km periphery of an urban area, having a population of more than 5 lakh. The document envisages the use of waste plastic at 6-8 per cent of the weight of the bitumen depending on the climatic conditions of high or low rainfall areas. This should address some of the problems of safe and meaningful disposal of waste plastic, which is otherwise a serious environmental problem.”Additionally, the ministry has mobilised nearly 26,000 people across the country to spread awareness on plastic waste management. Over 61,000 hours of shramdaan have been given to collect plastic waste, resulting in the collection of nearly 18,000 kg of waste plastic throughout the country.Under its ‘Swachhta Hi Sewa’ initiative, the Government of India has launched an awareness drive to curb the use of plastic by discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and distributing cloth and jute bags.                    

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?