Ladakh, July 15: The Ladakh administration has decided to build the roads with growing plastic waste with an aim to preserve ecology and reduce carbon footprints in the Himalayan region.
At least 10% of roads will be built of plastic for which Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) organized training of local engineers.
The Ladakh administration also approved the legal framework that enables the use of plastic waste in construction of roads, officials told J&K based news wire Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
An order has been passed in this regard by Administrative Secretary of PWD Department of Ladakh, which makes mandatory usage of practice waste in road construction in Ladakh.
“In order to find sustainable solution to the problem of plastic waste in Ladakh, all the bituminous roads in Ladakh shall contain at least 10% of plastic waste including plastic bottles, containers etc,” the order says.
The order also said that the department shall ensure shredding of plastic machines in Leh and Kargil and use at least 10% of plastic in construction of roads.
Ladakh administration also initiated training for local engineers where scientists from Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), New Delhi organized workshops for engineers from the rural engineering ring, rural development department, Border Roads Organization (BRO), National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) in Leh and Kargil districts.
“The training brings improvements in the road construction activities in the cold climatic conditions of Ladakh and helps the engineers in better utilization of plastic waste in road construction technologies,” said Commissioner Secretary Ajeet Kumar Sahu.
“Team of five principal scientists from CRRI, New Delhi holding training sessions with local engineers from last one week,” officials said. “Thrust area during training remained usage of plastic waste, usage of locally available material and cold mix technology for faster road construction.”
Divisional Commissioner Ladakh said that work on such technology will help in disposal of tons of plastic waste that has accumulated in Ladakh since last few years.
“Ladakh officials & engineers will learn advanced techniques to reuse plastic waste in road construction which will in turn also help protect the fragile environment of Ladakh in accordance with the vision of making a carbon-neutral Ladakh,” he said.