Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has embarked upon a mission for utilising waste plastic, for which, it has mobilised nearly 26 thousand people across the country for spreading awareness on plastic waste management. Over 61 thousand hours of ‘Shramdaan’ has been given to collect plastic waste. This has resulted in the collection of nearly 18 thousand kilograms of waste plastic throughout the country. The Ministry is encouraging the use of waste plastic in highway construction, especially on national highways within 50 km periphery of urban areas that have a population of 5 lakh or more.

Under the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ programme of the Government of India, MoRTH has undertaken awareness generation against use of plastic, through ‘Swachhata Awareness Programme’, which includes rallies, putting up posters / banners / slogans, distribution of pamphlets at toll plazas and nearby dhabas, and organising painting / essay writing competitions in schools. Awareness programmes are being organised at the campsite / local community centres, publicity through FM Radio, cleaning of national highways and collection of plastic waste/polythene bags / plastic bottles, cleaning up toll plazas, and organising ‘Swacchata Workshops’ for truck drivers and toll employees. The ministry is discouraging the use of plastic water bottles, installing dustbins for collection of segregated waste, and is distributing cloth/jute bags.

Paving the path to cleanliness
A stretch of road has recently been constructed using waste plastic on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan. A portion of Delhi- Meerut expressway and Gurugram- Sohna road have also been planned for construction, using plastic waste.

According to MoRTH, plastic waste has already been used in some portion of national highways construction on the pilot basis in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The technology used is in compliance with the guidelines of ‘Indian Roads Congress’ for the use of waste plastic in ‘Hot Bituminous Mixes’ in wearing courses. Reportedly, construction of 1 kilometre of 4-lane highway can help in the disposal of approximately 7 tonnes of waste plastic.