According to WPB, the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a pilot initiative to assess the effectiveness of plastic-infused bitumen in road repair projects across Salt Lake. The endeavor commenced in Ward 39, specifically in the CA Block area, and marks the first time such a technique is being applied within Salt Lake and Rajarhat Gopalpur under BMC’s jurisdiction.
Civic officials have confirmed that the trial involves blending shredded plastic with conventional bitumen to repair damaged road stretches. The deputy mayor of BMC, Anita Mondal, who also oversees the road maintenance portfolio, emphasized that this is an experimental phase. Should the outcome prove successful, this method is expected to be implemented on a broader scale throughout the region.
This move follows similar sustainable infrastructure experiments previously conducted by other municipal bodies. The New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) pioneered the use of shredded plastic in road surfacing materials several years ago. Building on that model, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has also adopted the approach and extended it to key thoroughfares and secondary lanes, demonstrating its long-term viability.
Councillor Rajesh Chirimar of Ward 39 noted that a plastic crushing unit had been operational in the locality for some time. Recovered plastic waste is processed and incorporated into the road surfacing mixture based on technical guidelines provided by the BMC commissioner and engineers from the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA). These specifications ensure the proper ratio of plastic to bitumen and other materials for structural integrity.
Chirimar reported that over 7,000 square meters of road have already been resurfaced using this method, which comes with a five-year performance assurance. He expressed optimism that this approach could set a precedent for future road maintenance strategies across the city.
Engineers involved in the project highlighted that plastic possesses water-repellent qualities and enhances the binding strength of bitumen. This, in turn, is expected to improve road durability, minimize pothole formation, and offer better resistance to wear under heavy rainfall and traffic stress.
The BMC’s ongoing infrastructure revitalization program across Salt Lake includes this innovative technique as part of a larger effort to adopt more sustainable and cost-effective materials in public works.
By WPB
Bitumen, Asphalt, Pavement, Road
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