Bharuch: In a significant step towards sustainable transportation, the Gujarat government has undertaken two major eco-friendly road infrastructure projects in Bharuch district. One of these projects involves road recycling—using material reclaimed from old roads to build new ones—while the other focuses on mixing processed plastic waste into bituminous concrete, enhancing water resistance and road longevity.

For the road recycling project, the Roads & Buildings Department has selected the route connecting Tankari to Devla village in Jambusar taluka as a pilot project. This road is strategically significant as it connects the upcoming bulk drug park near Thakor Talavadi village and the salt farming regions around Devla. It also benefits several nearby villages, including Kalk, Dolia, Tankari, Kapuriya, and Devla.

Launched with administrative approval of ₹50 crore on 26 December 2024, the project is scheduled for completion by March 2026. Milling and cement stabilization work near Devla is already in progress.

Green technology, or in-situ recycling (also known as full-depth reclamation), recycles existing road materials instead of relying entirely on new aggregates. This process shortens construction time by up to 50%, conserves natural resources, and significantly reduces environmental impact. The chemically stabilized recycled base also makes roads more resistant to potholes, extending lifespan and lowering maintenance costs.

The second major initiative in Bharuch involves using processed plastic waste in road construction to increase durability and protect against water damage. The state has identified a 14.70 km stretch of the Palej–Ikhar–Sarbhan road for this project, with ₹16.50 crore approved on 8 January 2025. Construction is currently underway.

Plastic waste helps roads withstand water infiltration—the primary cause of damage in bituminous roads. When properly processed and mixed, plastic:

• Forms a water-impermeable film around aggregates

• Enhances binding strength between asphalt and aggregates

• Reduces porosity, limiting water penetration

• Improves elasticity and flexibility, helping resist cracks

• Lowers moisture absorption in aggregates

These projects are part of a broader strategy to adopt advanced, sustainable technologies for building a resilient, eco-friendly road network across the state. DeshGujarat