J&K mulls constructing roads from plastic waste
In a significant move to overcome the problem of disposal of plastic waste across the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir government is mulling to use plastic waste in road constructions and set the process in motion to explore the feasibility.
A credible source told that the step is aimed to preserve ecology and reduce carbon footprints in the eco fragile Jammu and Kashmir, which has witnessed several natural calamities in recent history.
Accordingly, the General Administrative Department (GAD) constituted an Inter-Departmental Committee to explore possibilities in the direction and recommend the road map for use of waste plastic in macadamization works of the Public Works (Roads & Building) Department.
As per order issued by Secretary to government Dr. Piyush Singla), the sanction has been accorded to constitution of an Inter-Departmental committee to recommend the road map for use of waste plastic in macadamization works of PW (R&B) Department from next financial year.
Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department has been appointed as Chairman of the apex committee while Administrative Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Administrative Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Administrative Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Administrative Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj were appointed as members.
Official sources said that the committee tasked to examine the feasibility of using waste plastic in road works with due attention to environmental considerations.
It will also analyze the economic considerations for use of waste plastic in macadamization works, with comparative costs of conventional macadamization process and that of using waste plastic besides earmarking the mode of acquiring suitable plastic for use as construction material by the Hot Mix Plants including means and source.
The will also have to examine changes in plant or additional machinery required for use of waste plastic in macadamization works and will suggest incentive structure or facilitation of plant owners for developing suitable infrastructure to use waste plastic in macadamization works.
They have to examine the requirements of any additional permissions or clearances required from government agencies for use of waste plastic in macadamization.
Pertinently, Ladakh administration has taken the lead to build roads with growing plastic waste to reduce the carbon footprint in the Himalayan region. The Ladakh administration has made mandatory use of at least 10% of plastic waste for road construction in Ladakh.
