New Delhi: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has embarked upon a mission for utilising plastic waste in a big way. Apart from launching an awareness drive and a plogging drive, the ministry has called for the use of plastic waste in the construction of highways. The policy is to be implemented especially on National Highways within 50 km periphery of urban areas that have a population of 5 lakh or more.
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.
Plastic waste has already been used in wearing courses 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. Construction of 1 kilometre of 4-lane highway can help in disposal of approximately 7 tonnes of waste plastic.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also 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.
Under the 'Swachhta Hi Sewa' programme, the ministry has undertaken awareness generation against use of plastic, through Swachhata Awareness Programme through rallies, putting up posters / banners / slogans, distribution of pamphlets at toll plazas and nearby Dhabas, and organizing painting / essay writing competitions in schools, an official press release said.