Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards sustainable development, the Odisha government is exploring the use of plastic waste for road construction. A high-level meeting chaired by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department, was held today to deliberate on the innovative and eco-friendly initiative.
The meeting highlighted that plastic waste, such as bottles and carry bags, can be shredded and blended with heated bitumen and aggregates to build more durable roads. This technique, already a proven success for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is seen as a dual solution for improving infrastructure while tackling the state’s plastic waste problem.
The officials, including representatives from NHAI and the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), explored the feasibility of launching pilot projects in select urban areas. This initiative aims to reduce environmental pollution and contribute to a circular economy by repurposing non-biodegradable waste.
The meeting concluded with a consensus to move forward with the proposal in a planned, technically sound manner, starting with suitable pilot roads. The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration between various government departments, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and technical experts to ensure a successful rollout.