5 Innovations That Are Curbing Pollution

Pollution levels are soaring in India. From the air of Delhi to the water of Ganga, the country is reeling under pollution.

- Isha Chakraborty

Awareness programmes are being organised. The government is also implementing policies aimed at pollution control. The role of technology and innovation in controlling pollution is increasingly being explored. Five innovations aimed at pollution control in India are spotlighted here.

Highways made out of plastic: Plastic forms one of the toughest pollution challenges. India is producing around 60% of the total plastic waste in the world. Plastic is not biodegradable. Dr. Rajagopalan Vasudevan, Professor of Chemistry, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, has invented a technique that uses excess plastic waste for road laying. In this process, plastic is added to stones used for building roads at around 170 degree Celsius. Around one tonne of plastic waste is utilised for covering one kilometre. It is a cheaper and stronger replacement for cement blocks. This has been used for building roads in over 11 Indian states.