Delhi Turns Plastic Waste Into Roads Using CRRI-BPCL Geocell Technology
In a transformative move for sustainable infrastructure, Delhi is set to trial an innovative road construction method that uses waste plastic to build durable pavements through Geocell technology. Developed by CSIR-CRRI in collaboration with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, the new approach turns end-of-life plastics into 3D structural sheets that enhance road strength, particularly in challenging terrains. The initiative also marks India’s first application of technical textiles made entirely from post-consumer plastic waste for public road infrastructure.
The Geocell modules, when filled with granular sub-base material like soil or construction waste, can serve as road foundations with enhanced load-bearing capacity, particularly in hilly or unstable terrains. The material has been tested successfully in laboratory trials and on a 160-metre road stretch near the elevated section of the DND-Faridabad-KMP Expressway. The test site used approximately 25 tonnes of recycled plastic, marking one of the largest-scale demonstrations of plastic reuse in Indian road construction. Scientists from CRRI stated that the field trials showed no cracking or deformation during load testing, with the Geocell structure maintaining its integrity even under pressure. “The cells are manufactured through mechanical recycling methods and formed into modules with thicknesses between 4mm and 8mm,” explained a senior CRRI official.
A joint patent application has been filed for the innovation, and a live trial with the Military Engineering Services (MES) is scheduled for August. The trial will be used to demonstrate the efficacy of the technology in high-stress and remote terrain locations, with the goal of making it a mainstream solution for rural and border road infrastructure. Officials believe this approach could revolutionise India’s management of post-consumer plastic, which remains a major contributor to municipal solid waste. By integrating plastic into roads, the technology offers a dual benefit: enhancing road performance and diverting tonnes of plastic from landfills. The CRRI also highlighted that the modular nature of the Geocell system allows for easy deployment across varied topographies, making it especially suited to the country’s climate-sensitive and flood-prone zones.
Beyond durability, the roads built with Geocells are more resistant to water damage and can reduce maintenance costs over time. This initiative represents a significant leap toward India’s sustainability goals, aligning with the government’s “waste to wealth” agenda. If adopted nationally, it could set a new benchmark for infrastructure development that is both environmentally responsible and economically viable.
