Come 2027, recycled waste to be used for roads: Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Thursday announced that all solid waste generated in India would be reused for road construction by the end of 2027. Emphasising the government's commitment to sustainable infrastructure, Gadkari said converting waste into material for highways would not only tackle the challenge of urban waste management but also bolster the country's shift towards a circular economy.

He noted that the initiative would help reduce landfill volumes, improve environmental quality and lower construction costs for upcoming road projects.

Addressing the 120th Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in New Delhi, Gadkari said over 80 lakh tonnes of solid waste had already been segregated and utilised in road construction. "By 2027, every bit of solid waste across the country will be repurposed for infrastructure," he said.

Referring to the towering landfill sites around Delhi, the minister said the sight of such garbage "mountains" did not reflect well on a developing nation. "Delhi alone has four such waste hills, but we have already used 80 lakh tonnes from them in road projects," he said.

Reiterating his belief that "no material and no person is waste," Gadkari said the effective use of technology and vision-driven leadership could turn waste into wealth.

Turning to the automobile sector, Gadkari said India was on course to become the largest automobile market in the world within the next five years. Currently ranked third after the United States and China, India's automobile industry is valued at Rs 22 lakh crore.

"In 2014, our industry ranked seventh with a total volume of Rs14 lakh crore. A few days ago, we surpassed Japan and now stand third globally," he said.

Gadkari attributed the sector's rapid growth to innovation and diversification in alternative fuels, citing progress in biofuels, electric vehicles, ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, LNG and hydrogen. "Almost all global automobile brands are now manufacturing or collaborating in India. We are adopting new technologies faster than ever before," he said.

The minister also highlighted the economic impact of ethanol-based fuel production on farmers' incomes. Citing examples from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, he said, "When we started producing ethanol from corn, its price rose from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,800 per quintal, and farmers earned an additional Rs 45,000 crore."

India recently met its target of blending 20 per cent ethanol with petrol, a goal Gadkari has repeatedly described as a major step towards energy independence.