Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has called for greater use of municipal waste in road construction, highlighting it as a sustainable alternative that can significantly reduce dependence on natural resources. The initiative forms part of a broader push towards eco-friendly infrastructure development across India.
Speaking at the 14th Annual Convocation Ceremony 2026 organised by the Asian Education Group, Gadkari emphasised that repurposing urban waste can help address both environmental challenges and construction needs. He pointed out that legacy waste, often accumulated over years, can be processed and reused in road-building activities, thereby reducing the need for natural aggregates.
“We have decided to use municipal waste in road construction so we do not have to use natural resources to arrange aggregates,” he said.
The minister noted that this approach has already been adopted in major infrastructure projects, including the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. These projects demonstrate how waste materials can be effectively integrated into large-scale road construction.
Gadkari also highlighted the issue of legacy waste in Delhi, where several landfill sites—including the Ghazipur landfill—have accumulated massive quantities of garbage. He stated that around 80 lakh tonnes of waste have been segregated and utilised in infrastructure projects, helping to reduce landfill burdens.
By converting waste into construction material, the government aims to tackle urban waste management challenges while conserving natural resources. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in promoting sustainable infrastructure and reducing environmental impact in the long run.
Source: The Economic Times
