Lok Sabha Question No. 4189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Construction of Roads using Plastic Wastes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4189

## ANSWERED ON 19/08/2025

## Construction of Roads using Plastic Wastes

## 4189.   Shri NareshGanpatMhaske:

Smt. Shambhavi:

Shri RavindraDattaramWaikar:

Dr. ShrikantEknathShinde:

Shri Rajesh Verma:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the data on the number of kilometers of rural roads constructed  using  plastic  waste  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram SadakYojana  (PMGSY)  or  other  schemes  during  the  last  five years, State and year-wise;
- (b) the  data  on  the  number  of  pilot  villages  or  districts  where plastic waste road models have been successfully implemented as of July 2025, State and year-wise;
- (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote the use of plastic waste in road construction under PMGSY;
- (d) the details of the steps have been taken by the Government to ensure environmental safety and durability in roads constructed with plastic waste; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  or have any evaluation reports or performance audits available on the  cost-efficiency  and  performance  of  plastic  waste  roads compared to conventional ones?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)

(a): The  length  of  road  constructed  using  waste  plastic  under various  verticals  of  Pradhan  Mantri  Gram  SadakYojana  (PMGSY) during the last five years is given below:

|                         |   (in km) |
|-------------------------|-----------|
| 2020-21                 |      3133 |
| 2021-22                 |      8848 |
| 2022-23                 |      6382 |
| 2023-24                 |      5241 |
| 2024-25                 |      4061 |
| 2025-26 (Till 13.08.25) |      2058 |

The  State-wise/year-wise  details  of  road  length  constructed  using new  technology  (waste  plastic)  under  various  verticals  of  PMGSY may be accessed at http://omms.nic.in>proposals>technology abstract.

(b): As on 31.7.25, a total of  56,875 km of road works has been sanctioned using waste plastic, under various interventions/ verticals  of  PMGSY,   out  of  which  43,700  km  of  road  works  have been  completed.   The  State-wise/year-wise  details  of  road  length constructed using new technology under various verticals of PMGSY may be accessed at http://omms.nic.in>proposals>technology abstract.

(c) & (d): To  promote  adoption of  new/  green Technology  in  the construction  of  rural  roads  using  new  materials/  waste  materials/ locally  available  materials  under  PMGSY,  the  Ministry  has  issued 'Vision  Document on New Technology Initiatives Guidelines-2022'. As per the guidelines, States/ UTs have to compulsorily use waste plastic  in  at  least  70%  length  out  of  the  eligible  proposed  length involving the Hot Mix process in PMGSY roads. The type of plastics to be used in this process and the required size are regulated as per "Guidelines  for  the  use  of  waste  plastic  in  hot  bituminous  mixes (Dry  process)  in  wearing  courses"  issued  by  the  Indian  Roads Congress (IRC).

This  helps  reduce  the  environmental impact of plastic waste by diverting it from landfills/ sea and using it productively. Also The Indian  Road  Congress  (IRC)  has  issued  guidelines,  specifically IRC:SP:98-2013, for the use of waste plastic in hot bituminous mixes (dry  process)  in  wearing  courses.  This  document  encourages  the use  of  waste  plastic  in  road  construction  to  promote  sustainable

development and reduce plastic waste. Till July, 2025, 43,700 km of roads  using  waste  plastic  technology  has  been  completed  under PMGSY.

(e): Waste plastic is being used in thin bituminous surfaces under the scheme. The performance evaluation of rural roads constructed with  waste  plastic  was  carried  out  by  seven  institutes  under  the supervision  of  Indian  Institute  of  Technology  (IIT),  Madras. The study found that distresses such as raveling, cracking, and potholes were  significantly  lower  compared  to  conventional  pavements. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) values for waste plastic roads were found higher, indicating better overall surface condition. The analysis  further  showed  that  the  maintenance  of  these  roads  can generally be deferred by about one year and that there is a marginal reduction in overall life cycle cost compared to conventional roads.

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