Following the lead of Narangi Military Station in Guwahati, Assam, which built the first plastic waste road in India in 2019, Jaipur Military Station has become the second in the country to construct a road using recycled plastic. Notably, Jaipur is also the first military station to incorporate such roads into its regular maintenance program.
Jaipur’s military station unveiled a 100-meter-long plastic waste road on June 26th, 2024. The stretch connects the Sagat Singh Road underpass to the Cubs Corner complex. Major General R.S. Godara, head of the 61 Sub Area, officially inaugurated the road by planting a tree, signifying progress and advancement. Several officials were present for the ceremony.
Following the Indian Army’s goal of establishing eco-friendly military stations, the Jaipur road project was undertaken by GE (South) and CE Jaipur Zone. A private construction company, Deep Constructions Pvt. Ltd., also assisted in building this sustainable road.
Compared to conventional roads, roads made of plastic waste are more durable, suffer less wear and tear, reduced water induction and increased sustainability.
Use of Plastic Waste in Road Construction
India’s growing plastic waste issue prompted the government to introduce a pilot program in 2015, allowing the use of recycled plastic in building National Highways. This initiative aimed to tackle the problem of plastic pollution. Since plastic is a non-biodegradable material, it takes a very long time to break down. Discarded plastic becomes waste, often improperly disposed of through burning or littering. Burning plastic releases harmful air pollutants, while littered plastic contaminates our water bodies, land, and agricultural fields. This pollution not only disrupts seed germination and rainwater absorption but also poses a danger to wildlife. Animals, particularly cows, can choke and die after ingesting discarded plastic bags.
Pioneer of Plastic Road
We can credit Professor Rajagopalan Vasudevan and his team at the Centre for Studies on Solid Waste Management (CSSWM) for creating a patented method to incorporate plastic waste into road construction. Their technique involves mixing shredded plastic waste with heated bitumen, a sticky substance that binds road components. This mixture is then used to coat the stones that form the base of the road.
Professor Vasudevan, also known as the “Plastic Man of India,” developed a road-building method using plastic waste. After a successful four-year trial where the roads showed minimal wear and tear, the Indian government officially endorsed this technique. This involved mixing shredded plastic with hot bitumen, the binding agent in roads. Professor Vasudevan’s innovation earned him recognition by the government, awarding him the prestigious Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2018.
Government Policy on Roads Made of Plastic Waste
India’s government took significant strides in incorporating plastic waste management into road construction. In 2017, they authorized the use of up to 10% recycled plastic mixed with hot bitumen for road building. This effort further intensified in 2023, mandating the use of plastic waste in constructing and repairing service roads along national highways. This policy applies specifically to service roads within a 50-kilometer radius of urban-rural areas with a population of at least 500,000.
The use of plastic waste in road construction has spread to various Indian cities, including Chennai, Delhi, Jamshedpur, Pune, Indore, and Lucknow. This technique consumes 15 percent less coal tar and makes the highway durable for 10 years instead of five years for conventional roads. As the plastic is water-resistant, no potholes develop on the road. Potholes develop on conventional roads as rainwater seeps inside the road causing damage to the road.
