The Bihar government has taken a significant step in waste management by successfully constructing roads using single-use plastic. A total of 10.5 kilometers of roads have been completed in the districts of Purnia, Khagaria, and Aurangabad under a pilot project. Officials used approximately 8 metric tons (8,000 kg) of plastic waste for this initiative. Following the success of this trial, Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar announced that the government plans to implement this technology in all 38 districts of the state.
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Which Districts Have These New Roads?
According to the latest official data, the construction was carried out under the ‘Lohia Swachh Bihar Abhiyan’. Aurangabad district saw the construction of 5 kilometers of road using 3.5 tons of plastic waste. Purnia completed 4.05 kilometers using 3.08 tons, while Khagaria built a 1-kilometer stretch using 1 ton of processed plastic.
The process involves mixing shredded plastic with hot bitumen at a ratio of 7% to 8%. The plastic waste used for these roads is collected from households and processed at 171 Plastic Waste Management Units active across the state. The Rural Works Department handles the physical construction, while Jeevika groups manage the waste collection.
Cost Benefits and Durability
Using plastic in road construction offers multiple benefits beyond just cleaning up the environment. Experts state that these plastic-mixed roads are more resistant to waterlogging, which is a common issue in Bihar. They are expected to last 2 to 3 years longer than traditional bitumen roads. The construction follows the technical standards of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC).
This method is also cost-effective for the state treasury. By replacing a portion of expensive bitumen with plastic waste, the government saves approximately ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 per kilometer. New guidelines under PMGSY now prioritize the use of plastic waste for roads located within 50 km of processing centers.
