Newmai News Network Shillong | April 13 The state government led by Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) is presently considering the use of plastic waste as a base material for building roads in the state. Replying during the budget discussion in the Assembly on Friday, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed that a 1 km stretch of road built using 460 kgs of plastic waste at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh has been completed in the state. Sangma viewed that using plastic had multiple advantages – one of them being the strength and durability is doubled compared to normal roads. Referring to the suggestion for banning the use of plastics in the state, Conrad however said that the government will further study the effectiveness of new plastic technology. “If it is found to be effective, we want to link the project with garbage disposal,” he said while adding, “If each household or locality starts collecting plastics (instead of throwing them), the company (engaging in the construction of plastic roads) can buy it from them.” Stating that it is a simple financial model, Conrad said that this will also encourage people to change their mindset. “We need to change our mindset and ensure that we have a cleaner Shillong, cleaner Tura, and cleaner Jowai,” he said. It may be mentioned here that the 1 km road was built from shredded plastic waste in Nongkynjeng village in West Khasi Hills District. The technology developed by Rajagopalan Vasudevan, a chemistry professor from Madurai, uses finely-shredded plastic waste that is added to heated bitumen.