KOCHI: Kochiites are distressed over the absence of motorable roads in the city after the heavy downpour that has been tormenting the city for the past few days. Although projects using plastic waste in the construction of roads are cropping up across India, the Kochi Corporation hardly shows any sign of implementing such a project in the near future. Polymer-coated bitumen roads are those constructed by mixing shredded plastic waste with tar to increase the longevity of the road.“Usually, ordinary bitumen is used to lay roads. Under normal conditions, the bitumen becomes brittle in two or three years. This is aggravated when the road has to withstand heavy loads and heavy rainfall. This is why most of the roads come apart after a few months of their construction,” said Mohanan S, superintendent engineer, National Highway Division, PWD. “When Bitumen is mixed with plastic in a specific ratio, the road becomes more flexible and prevents the bitumen from becoming brittle. Hence, it can withstand higher temperature and rainfall,” he said.Pilot tests conducted across Tamil Nadu and those done on Manapatty Parambu Road and another near Rajagiri College in the city have yielded positive results in the past. Yet, there have been no initiatives from the Corporation’s side to standardise the process. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, the process of using shredded plastic waste in the construction of roads not only increases its durability by five to six years (i.e., the strength of the road increases by 100 per cent), but also reduces the cost of construction and maintenance. The report also points out that such roads are better resistant towards rain and water stagnation. The CPCB also states that the plastic will not be leached to the surrounding area as feared by environmentalists.
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