To make carbon-neutral Ladakh, Admin to build ‘plastic’ roads

In a bid to preserve ecology and reduce carbon footprints in Himalaya, the administration of Union Territory Ladakh has decided to build at least 10 percent of roads with ‘growing’ plastic waste, for which Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) organized training of local engineers.

Officials told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the Ladakh administration also approved the legal framework that enables the use of plastic waste in construction of roads.

An order has been passed in this regard by the Administrative Secretary of the 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 reads.

The order further said that the department shall ensure the shredding of plastic machines in Leh and Kargil and use atleast 10% of the plastic in the construction of roads.

Furthermore, Ladakh administration has 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, adding

“Thrust area during training remained usage of plastic waste, usage of locally available material and cold mix technology for faster road construction.”

Moreover, the Divisional Commissioner Ladakh informed that work on such technology will help in disposal of tons of plastic waste, which accumulated in Ladakh for the last few years.

“Ladakh officials and 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,” Biswas said—(KNO)