From Waste To Wealth: Yogi Government Setting A Model By Repurposing Plastic Waste For Road Construction

The Uttar Pradesh government has been actively incorporating plastic waste, particularly single-use plastic, in conjunction with bitumen, for the development and strengthening of its extensive road network across the state.

The effort serves as a model for the entire country, optimising use of plastic and providing cost-effective roads that maintain durability.

The effective bonding of plastic and bitumen, both being petroleum-based products, contributes to the road's increased load-bearing capacity and longevity.

Additionally, these roads exhibit heightened resistance to damage caused by heavy rainfall. The Union Government, in 2015 had issued guidelines for use of plastic waste in roads of National Highways on pilot basis.

Under the initiative, the government has successfully built roads totalling 813 km within the state. A total of 466 roads and routes have been reinforced through this process, as indicated in the Public Works Department report.

The state currently has an operational network of six expressways, totalling 1,225 km in length.

Another 2,600 km of expressways are being built, making Uttar Pradesh the first state to have a network of 14 expressways.

In addition to prioritising the extensive expressway network, it is also directing its attention towards expanding the road infrastructure to improve north-south connectivity.

A total of 27,397 kilometres of rural roads has been constructed, during the tenure of the Yogi government so far, as per the Public Works Department.

The state is progressing in widening and strengthening roads at an average rate of 9 kilometres per day, while the construction of new roads is proceeding at a pace of 11 kilometres per day.