Integrating Plastic Waste into Bituminous Mix for Enhanced Road Quality; Successful Trial Conducted at Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, August 11: To reinforce the government’s steadfast dedication to advance the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and promote environmentally friendly methods of plastic waste management, a successful trial for incorporating plastic waste into bituminous mix was conducted today at Chatroo Plant under the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited’s (NHIDCL’s) Khellani-Chatroo Package 5.

The event saw the presence of the Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Devansh Yadav, GM (P) PMU Kishtwar, Gursewak Singh Sangha, and NHIDCL Engineers.

The groundbreaking trial shows the potential of utilizing plastic waste in road construction, specifically as a hot mix bituminous wearing coat or top layer on service and slip roads across the National Highway (NH) network nationwide.

This progressive endeavor to incorporate plastic waste into bituminous mix aligns seamlessly with the core principles of the Panch Pran Pledge, a cornerstone of the “Meri Maati Mera Desh” Campaign.

On this occasion, the Deputy Commissioner shared valuable insights. He highlighted that the plastic waste gathered from the Panchayats will undergo processing in the Block Shredder plants. Subsequently, the responsibility of further mixing this processed material into bituminous works will be shouldered by NHIDCL contractors. This holistic approach not only contributes to efficient waste management but also holds the promise of generating significant revenue for the panchayats.

The strategic use of waste plastic within a bituminous mix not only leads to a significant reduction of approximately 5-8% of bitumen consumption but also contributes to heightened road strength and performance. Notably, roads incorporating plastic waste exhibit an extended lifespan compared to conventional bituminous roads.

The trial marks a significant step towards sustainable and resilient road infrastructure in district Kishtwar.