Odisha's Innovative Approach: Transforming Plastic Waste into Sustainable Roads

Revolutionizing Urban Infrastructure in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha is set to incorporate plastic waste into road construction across urban regions, including Bhubaneswar, as announced in an official statement on Thursday.

This initiative was discussed during a meeting led by Usha Padhee, the principal secretary of the housing and urban development department.

Padhee highlighted the importance of integrating sustainable and eco-friendly methods into urban infrastructure projects during the discussions.

She proposed that plastic waste, especially from bottles and carry bags, could be shredded and combined with heated bitumen for road construction.

Officials noted that this initiative aims to mitigate environmental pollution while promoting a circular economy.

This eco-friendly technique, already in use by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), not only improves the durability and quality of roads but also provides an effective solution for managing plastic waste.

The statement emphasized Odisha's dedication to fostering a pollution-free and sustainable environment by exploring similar innovative strategies.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to advance the proposal, beginning with appropriate pilot projects and fostering collaboration among various departments, urban local bodies (ULBs), and technical experts.