17 March,2021 06:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Chetna Sadadekar
A road made from plastic and asphalt at Bandra West. File pic/Anurag Ahire
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun the implementation of government orders to all municipal corporations, on the use of plastic waste in the construction of roads. The civic body has issued a circular saying contractors must compulsorily use plastic waste contents in the hot mix. However, this has not gone down well with the contractors as they will have to incur additional cost to set up the machinery for this purpose.
âFor durable roads'
Currently, asphalt, - hot bituminous content - is used to lay the roads in the city. The BMC has asked the contractors to ensure that 8 per cent of plastic waste content is added to the top layer - surface of the road. Civic officials said this will enhance the durability of the roads in the city.
Plastic waste is to be shredded and mixed with the hot bitumen and the resulting mix used to lay roads. Contractors will have to now set up machinery to shred the plastic waste which is mainly generated out of bags, bottles, and other plastic materials.
A contractor had pointed out that the setting up of machinery for shredding plastic will be needed. However, inclusion of plastic contents in the road laying process will be cost effective, said officials.
An official from the Roads and Traffic department of the BMC said, "Studies have shown that the use of plastic in small proportions, about 5 to 10 per cent in the hot bitumen will improve the durability, longevity, marshall stability and other such desirable strengths of bitumen. The use of plastic will also tackle the problem of dealing with excessive plastic waste and help in constructing green roads."
The circular also mentioned that all the tenders that have been invited for asphalt works must introduce plastic waste in them. The building of roads will eventually cost less to the contractors, as less bitumen will be used and the rate of plastic is lower than the hot mix production.
