In a groundbreaking initiative that tackles pollution and builds infrastructure, a hill station in West Bengal is paving its way to a greener future—literally. Non-biodegradable plastic waste collected from Kurseong in the Darjeeling district is now being used to construct a brand-new public road within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) area, the first such project in the region.
From Waste to Resource: The Road Construction Details
The road under construction is a 4.420-kilometre stretch that will connect the scenic Muktikhola waterfall to the quaint village of Noldara in the Mirik Block. The pathway will also pass through several other hamlets, improving connectivity. The key ingredient setting this project apart is the integration of 1,846.56 kg of processed plastic waste into the road-building material.
This innovative process began in June 2025 with the installation of a crucial machine at the plastic waste management unit in Gari Dhura, Kurseong Block. The unit operates under the LIC-HFL Green Tomorrow Solid Waste Management Project. The installed agglomerator machine processes the collected plastic waste, transforming it into reusable pellets. These pellets are then mixed with other materials to build durable road surfaces.
A Collaborative Model for Development and Sustainability
The execution of this project is a result of strong collaboration. The Kurseong Block Administration is working alongside the state-level NGO Bitan Institute for Training, Awareness and Networking (BITAN). The on-ground coordination involves St Mary’s-III and Sukna Gram Panchayat. As of December 2025, the team has successfully completed 1.5 km of the total road length.
Block Development Officer of Kurseong, Koushik Chakraborty, highlighted the dual benefits of the initiative. He stated that it aims not just at infrastructure development but also at strengthening local livelihoods, enhancing environmental safety, and significantly reducing plastic pollution in ecologically sensitive hill and forest-adjacent areas. Chakraborty termed it a "replicable and sustainable model" for other blocks in the region.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The project also carries a positive economic dimension. The plastic waste is generating a revenue of Rs 55 per kilogram, creating a monetary value from what was previously just litter. This aspect incentivizes waste collection and proper management.
"The successful operation of the plastic waste management and the utilisation of plastic pellets in road construction demonstrate how plastic waste can be effectively transformed into a valuable resource," Chakraborty explained. This initiative showcases a practical circular economy solution, where waste is not discarded but becomes a fundamental component of new public assets, setting a precedent for sustainable development in the Himalayan region and beyond.
