Bhubaneswar, 7 August (H.S.) In a significant step toward sustainable urban development, the Government of Odisha is exploring the use of plastic waste in road construction across the state. A high-level meeting chaired by Smt. Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, was convened today to discuss the implementation of this eco-friendly initiative.

Highlighting the dual benefits of enhanced road quality and effective plastic waste management, Smt. Padhee emphasized the importance of adopting sustainable practices in urban infrastructure. She noted that plastic waste—particularly from carry bags, bottles, and other disposables—can be shredded and incorporated into heated bitumen and aggregates to construct durable and long-lasting roads. The technique, already adopted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has shown promising results in improving road strength and reducing maintenance needs.

With a vision to build a pollution-free and environmentally conscious Odisha, the state government is considering launching pilot projects in select urban areas. These pilot initiatives will not only tackle growing plastic waste concerns but also align with the principles of a circular economy by repurposing non-biodegradable materials.

The meeting also addressed the technical and logistical aspects of the proposal, with a strong focus on interdepartmental coordination and expert involvement. Among the key attendees were Dr. N. Thirumala Naik, Vice Chairman, Bhubaneswar Development Authority; Mr. J.P. Burma, Project Director, NHAI; Mr. Abinas Behera, Technical Manager, Regional Office NHAI; Sri Bilas Behera, EIC, Public Health; Shri Binay Dash, Additional Secretary, H&UD; Shri Ratnakar Sahu, Additional Commissioner, BMC; and other senior officials and stakeholders.

The session concluded with a consensus to move forward with a phased, technically robust approach. The pilot phase will be carefully monitored to assess performance, with the goal of scaling up across urban areas in Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda