MADURAI: The initiative to popularise a simple technology using waste plastic to lay roads has received a shot in the arm with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) approving it for wider application.

It comes after studying of the plastic reuse technology, its application, life of plastic roads under varied weather conditions and the cost factor.

The Department of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), here has applied the technology on several terrains, including Wellington, Chennai, Greater Mumbai and Kochi in the last four years, and registered for a patent. In Tamil Nadu, the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) had laid 1,200 km of plastic roads in 28 districts.

According to R. Vasudevan, Head, Department of Chemistry, the CPCB plans to lay demonstration roads in Hyderabad. It has sought a proposal from the college for construction of pavements or blocks using waste plastic. The CPCB is preparing pamphlets to be distributed to local bodies.

Dr. Vasudevan says it has been proved that plastic fills up holes, through which water seep during rainfall. Its binding with bitumen is so good that it acts as a water-proof layer. It will be ideal for roads that have to bear the brunt of continuous rainfall, like those in Mumbai. According to officials, though the technology has proved to be beneficial, it can be adopted nation-wide only with the approval of the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). The Indian Centre for Plastic Environment will seek the CRRI's approval.

The State Department of Rural Development will send a report of an expert committee on the quality of plastic roads. The National Rural Road Development Agency, say officials , has written to the Department of Rural Development to lay "model roads" at 20 places in the State.

The State Government has spelt out its commitment to environmental sustenance by getting 1,200 km of roads laid using waste plastic. The idea is to save cost, improve road quality and adopt a safe mechanism for disposal of waste plastic. About 3,700 self-help groups are involved in collecting and shredding waste plastic.

Dr. Vasudevan says the CPCB approval is also significant in the context of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's recent announcement that kutcha and mud roads in urban areas will be developed at a cost of Rs. 400.81 crores under Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Road Development Project 2005.

The Highways Department has launched a model project to lay plastic roads in Madurai. As per TCE specifications, a km of single-lane road consumes one tonne of waste plastic, which is equivalent to 10 lakh plastic carry bags.

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