‘Readymade Roads’ to Save the Environment, Time, and Labour

A new road construction technology using readymade slabs promises to revolutionise infrastructure building by saving time, labour, and resources while also protecting the environment.

 

Under this technique, precast concrete road panels embedded with 50mm of recycled plastic will be laid directly on prepared surfaces. This will not only accelerate the construction process but also extend the road’s lifespan by two to five times compared to traditional methods.

 

The technology, being adopted in several pilot projects, aims to address three major challenges in road construction – speed, durability, and sustainability. The use of recycled plastic reduces the environmental burden of plastic waste, while the modular slabs allow for faster repairs and minimal traffic disruption.

 

According to experts, the road panels are manufactured in controlled environments, ensuring high strength and quality. Once laid, they require far less maintenance than conventional asphalt roads.

 

Advantages of the new technology:

• Environmental Protection: Utilises recycled plastic, reducing pollution.
• Faster Construction: Roads can be laid in hours instead of days.
• Longer Life: Up to five times more durable than traditional roads.
• Lower Costs: Reduced maintenance and labour expenses.

 

Urban planners believe that this innovation could be a game-changer, particularly in urban and industrial areas where road closures for repairs cause significant economic loss.

The Delhi government is reportedly considering large-scale trials of this technique to modernise city infrastructure while advancing sustainability goals.