New roads in Visakhapatnam to be constructed with plastic waste

Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) Commissioner K Vishwanathan announced that all new roads in the city will be constructed using plastic waste. Addressing reporters on 11 December 2024, he stated that this decision was made during a recent high-level meeting with the state government. He further explained that roads within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) limits will also adopt this method.

Plastic waste used in road construction refers to non-recyclable plastic, which is processed into small pieces and mixed with asphalt and gravel. Plastic constitutes up to 8% of the mixture, reducing costs and increasing durability. While regular asphalt roads have a lifespan of about four years, roads reinforced with plastic can last up to nine years. Additionally, plastic-mixed roads resist water seepage, minimizing damage during rainfall and extending their longevity.

Commissioner Vishwanathan highlighted the environmental benefits of using non-recycled plastic waste to construct roads in Visakhapatnam, as it prevents waste from contaminating the soil. He added that this method would be implemented for the road connecting the national highway at Anandapuram via Adavivaram and Shonthyam.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed the construction of 15 link roads connecting the national highway, which are to be completed before the Bhogapuram airport’s inauguration. These roads fall under various jurisdictions, including VMRDA, Panchayat Raj, GVMC, and others. Regardless of jurisdiction, the government has mandated that the roads be built without delay.

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This article is written by Senior Journalist Lakkoju Nagesh Babu