Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Wednesday that his ministry has made it mandatory to use plastic waste in highway construction, with 80 lakh tonnes of garbage already repurposed for national highways between New Delhi and Mumbai.
Speaking at the conclusion of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign here, Gadkari emphasized environmental and economic benefits of using waste in infrastructure projects, noting that recycling waste not only reduces pollution but also creates jobs.
Highlighting the potential of converting waste into fuel, Gadkari mentioned ongoing projects in collaboration with Indian Oil and other companies to produce bio-CNG from waste materials. He referred to Reliance’s plans to launch 600 projects generating bio-CNG and LNG from rice straw, cow dung, and biomass, showcasing how waste can become a valuable resource for alternative fuel.
Gadkari also stressed the importance of reducing dependence on imported oil by using recycled rubber tyres and plastic in road construction. He announced an upcoming meeting with oil company executives to promote this initiative, stating that such measures could reduce the need for 80 lakh tonnes of imported oil.
The city MP shared insights from his farming practices, where he has produced 50,000 tonnes of bio-fertiliser from waste over the last eight years. He encouraged Nagpur Municipal Corporation to explore innovative solutions, such as using recycled plastic for construction blocks, to improve waste management in the city.
Praising the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, Gadkari emphasized community involvement towards maintaining a sustainable environment. “If I can carry my chocolate wrapper home, so can you,” he remarked, calling for a cultural shift in littering behaviour.
He concluded by inviting women’s self-help groups to engage in waste management initiatives, empowering local communities while generating income from waste.
Citing an example, Gadkari said the NMC is the country’s first civic body to earn revenue from selling 240 MLD treated sewage water to Koradi and Khaparkheda thermal power units. Gadkari also inaugurated three smart public toilets and an RRR (reduce, reuse and recycle) centre by the municipal corporation, reinforcing Nagpur’s cleanliness goals.Additionally, Gadkari suggested publicly naming and shaming those who litter in public places, encouraging stronger community-driven accountability.
Municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari, additional municipal commissioner Aanchal Goyal, deputy municipal commissioners Milind Meshram, Gajendra Mahalle, Prakash Warade, and assistant municipal commissioners Ganesh Rathod, Harish Raut among others were present.
During the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, which ran from September 17 to October 2, NMC conducted a series of cleanliness drives at various heritage sites to mark Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. NMC cleaned the 5,10,000 sqft Kasturchand Park in just two hours using 13 JCBs, 30 tippers, 1,400 sanitation workers, 280 CRPF jawans and 100 volunteers. The civic body also cleared eight other heritage sites around Kasturchand Park, including GPO Square, Zero Mile, and Freedom Park.
