
Over 1 lakh kg plastic from MRF units used for road construction in Mangaluru
1
2
Mangaluru: In an attempt to provide a sustainable solution to plastic waste management in the region, nearly 1.70 lakh kg of plastic waste segregated at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) is now being used for a road project.
In what is probably the first-of-its-kind initiative in Karnataka, in terms of quantity, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic from four MRFs has been used by the NHAI to develop service road stretches between Talapady and Nanthoor, and from Surathkal to Sasthan, said Mangala Resource Management Pvt Ltd (MRMPL) managing director Dilraj Alva.
MRMPL is managing MRF units in Karkala, Edapadvu, Bantwal, and Kedambady.
Alva told TOI, "This project has provided a major boost to the use of recycled plastic in road construction and is also expected to enhance road durability." MRMPL director Sachin Shetty explained that the plastic used is LDPE, a flexible and tough plastic, typically considered low-value. The four MRF units collectively process 18–20 tonnes of dry waste daily, which is carefully segregated by type, with 40–50 tonnes of LDPE plastic recovered per month.
He said that the Indian Road Congress (IRC) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have issued specific guidelines for incorporating plastic in hot bituminous mixes for wearing courses. These guidelines allow the use of LDPE or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) while prohibiting black-coloured plastics or PVC due to their potential to emit harmful gases. The rules also define the permissible size, thickness, and percentage of plastic to be added to bitumen.
In adherence to these specifications, MRMPL has established a dedicated shredding unit in Mulki to clean and process the plastic before handing it over to contractors executing the road works, Shetty said.
"This is possibly the first time such a large volume of plastic waste is being used in a road project in Karnataka. One reason for the slow adoption across the state could be the difficulty in meeting stringent technical standards," he said.
"Meanwhile, plastic from this facility has also been used by the Hubballi local body for the development of a one-kilometre road. Also, in Kedambady, two 50-metre stretches are being developed as trial roads using recycled plastic. The tenders for this project are yet to be finalised," Shetty said.
NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi said this is certainly a first for the region, where single-use plastic has been used in road construction.
The concessionaire has also extended support for the initiative. Recycled plastic has been used not only for a 46-km stretch of the service road but also in parts of the main highway. This move is expected to significantly reduce maintenance costs. This method should be adopted by the local ULB.
The use of recycled plastic in road construction will enhance road strength and aid in effective waste management. It is expected to increase the durability of roads by 8–10 years, ensuring long-lasting infrastructure while putting plastic waste to productive use, said Ritam Gangully, project manager of Udupi Tollway Private Limited.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Good news for people going to airport from East Delhi... 8km tunnel to connect Delhi-Meerut Expressway and..., it will reduce travel time by...
Good news for people going to airport from East Delhi... tunnel to connect Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Gyarah Murti, it is... (Picture for representation purpose) In order to provide relief from traffic jams in Delhi and to reduce the traffic load coming from East Delhi or South Delhi to the Ring Road, Pragati Maidan and Lutyens Zone, the Gyaara Murti (Dandi March Statue) located at the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Sardar Patel Marg T-junction will be connected by a tunnel of about 7-8 km. New plan for relief from traffic jam At the same time, the proposed elevated corridor from near INA to the airport under Barapullah Phase-4 is another important project. The purpose of the flyover construction is to smoothen the traffic to the airport for commuters from Lutyens Delhi and East Delhi. A few days ago, a high-level meeting was held between Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and Delhi government ministers. What is the complete plan of the government During this time, the officials of the ministry presented a plan to decongest Delhi through parts of different national highways and new projects . In the future, the government has planned a 128 km long project, on which an estimated expenditure of Rs 23,850 crore is expected. During the meeting, many traffic problems in Delhi were also mentioned, one of which was mentioned in front of the Subroto Park police post near Dhaula Kuan. NHAI has shifted the police post from here and demanded 1300 square meters of land so that a 3-lane wide service lane can be built to go towards Narayana.


Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
NHAI plans green barriers to curb pedestrian deaths on NH
In response to the rising number of accidents and pedestrian fatalities along the National Highway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to implement a green barrier project on a pilot basis from Aug. The initiative, which will begin in Uchila, Udupi, aims to enhance road safety while also increasing greenery along the highway. NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi told TOI that the NHAI is moving toward more environmentally friendly practices. "Instead of conventional steel guard rails, we plan to plant dense hedge rows that will act as natural barriers. These will not only prevent pedestrians from crossing dangerously but will also beautify the stretch," he said. Typically, plants are spaced three metres apart, but for this project, the gap will be reduced to ensure a thick green cover. The dual-row planting will include hedge plants for safety and flowering plants for aesthetics, he said. In another green initiative, all three toll plazas at Talapady, Hejamady, and Sasthan are now operating on solar energy connected to the grid. Launched about eight months ago, this has significantly reduced operational costs and can also support electric vehicle (EV) charging. As part of the 'Rajmarg Saathi' initiative, electric toll patrol vehicles were launched recently near the Hejamady toll plaza to monitor and maintain NH-66 between Kundapur and Talapady. The three vehicles for each toll plaza were converted into EVs recently. These patrol units make four to six rounds daily, ensuring efficient highway management. The concessionaires have been supportive of innovative projects that help in cost reduction. On World Environment Day, the NHAI also took part in a nationwide plantation drive under the campaign 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam'. The NHAI is also working on several green initiatives that are awaiting approval from the authorities. NHAI is providing free left turns at the Nanthoor Junction in Mangaluru.

Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
In Brief: Chennai-Bengaluru route gets upgrade
Kolar MP M Mallesh Babu The Bengaluru-Nangali road that connects Bengaluru to eastern parts of the country like Chennai, Tirupati and beyond will soon be the stretch from KR Puram to Hoskote is already six-laned, while the road from Hoskote to Nangali (Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border) remains four-laned. With increasing traffic congestion on the latter section, road accidents have also been on the rise, prompting action from that a proposal to widen the road into a six-lane highway, along with four service roads, has received approval. A detailed project report worth Rs.2,400 crore has been prepared. To enhance safety, the plan includes installing barricades and limiting entry and exit points to every 10 to 15 km. JSR toll concession on NH75 ended; project transferred to NHAI, noted Babu.