Photo by IBN Live
The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) recently repaired around half km of road outside Hutchings High School near Old Golibar Maidan by mixing bitumen with waste plastics.
Plastic waste is one of the biggest pollutants to Indian cities - and recent development has worsened the situation in Pune city.
The tar roads are very much vulnerable to water but polymer-modified bitumen increases the resistance to water within a very low cost. This entire project is being carried under the guidance and suggestions from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to the contractors, 90 per cent of bitumen is amalgamated with 10 per cent of plastic that includes everyday waste ranging from carry bags to miscellaneous items like biscuit and gutka packets. Also, the cost of entire process is around Rs 325 per meter.
PCB Vice President, Prasad Kedari said that by using waste plastics, they are actually cleaning the environment. Event 10% waste plastic makes lots of difference in making the environment clean.
Pune Cantonment Board is now waiting to see the performance of the road. If things are fine, then they will be replicating this in other parts of cities. Right now they are only implementing this on less used roads.
Similar technology has been used in other Indian cities like Bangalore.
