In a major step toward sustainable infrastructure, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to use 100% of India’s municipal waste for road construction by 2027. This initiative was announced by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari during a convocation ceremony at an engineering college near Chennai. By integrating waste management with infrastructure development, the government aims to address urban pollution while reducing the reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive construction materials.
India’s Road to Green Infrastructure
Current Usage of Municipal Waste in Roads
According to Minister Gadkari, 80 lakh tonnes of municipal waste is already being utilised in national highway projects. Notable examples include,
- 25 lakh tonnes used in the Ahmedabad–Pune Highway
- 40 lakh tonnes deployed in the Mumbai–Delhi Expressway
- These figures showcase India’s growing ability to transform urban waste into a viable construction resource.
The 2027 Target
- The ambitious target of using all municipal waste generated in India by 2027 reflects a broader strategy of combining sustainable development, circular economy principles, and cost-effective road construction.
- This aligns with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly those related to infrastructure (SDG 9) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
Innovation
Bio-Bitumen from Livestock Waste
- Minister Gadkari revealed that a test road has been constructed using bio-bitumen derived from livestock waste.
- Certified by the Central Research Organisation, this bitumen performed better than traditional petroleum-based bitumen.
- This innovation not only offers a cleaner alternative but also reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Hydrogen from Waste
- Further, ongoing research under the ministry aims to derive hydrogen from municipal waste, supporting the development of green hydrogen, a clean fuel of the future.
- This opens possibilities for India’s hydrogen economy while solving urban waste disposal problems.
Key Takeaways
- NHAI aims to use 100% municipal waste for roads by 2027
- Already 80 lakh tonnes of waste used in key projects like Ahmedabad–Pune and Mumbai–Delhi highways
- Bio-bitumen from livestock waste outperforms petroleum bitumen
- Hydrogen is being researched from municipal waste sources
- Part of India’s push for green infrastructure and circular economy
- Encouragement to youth to innovate and enter clean tech sectors
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