NHAI exploring to construct roads using Phosphor-Gypsum

Tags: National News

With an aim to reduce the carbon footprint, the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways is exploring options for construction of national highways using phosphor-gypsum.

An overview of the news

• The move is aimed at increasing durability and making construction more affordable.

• India has the second largest road network in the world.

• In this context, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) along with the Department of Fertilizers will soon conduct field trials on their projects to achieve a circular economy in the use of gypsum.

• The move is in line with the government's commitment to use waste material in building ecologically sustainable National Highway infrastructure in the country.

What is Phosphor-Gypsum?

• Phosphor-gypsum is a by-product of fertilizer production.

• The phosphor-gypsum road was first constructed by an Indian fertilizer company.

• Later the road was evaluated by CRRI (Central Road Research Institute) and based on their report, the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) formally recognized phosphor-gypsum waste material for road construction for a period of three years.

• NHAI is also promoting the use of waste plastic in road construction, which has been successfully tested.

• Scientific research has found that roads made using plastic waste are sustainable and extend the life cycle of bitumen (a substance produced through the distillation of crude oil).