Bhubaneswar: The state government is considering a one-of-its-kind proposal to use municipal solid waste from sanitary landfill sites to construct roads in the city.

The move is aimed at saving the environment and reducing pollution levels here.

The government received a proposal from the Central Road Research Institute and decided to implement a pilot project with roads identified on the city outskirts. If the pilot project succeeds, it will be replicated in other cities and towns.

Sources said the Odisha State Pollution Control Board was analysing the proposal with a view to implementing it. "We were discussing different aspects of lessening burden on the dump yard and sanitary landfill sites when the institute's proposal came to us," said an official of the pollution control board.

He said that the institute had come up with a report where old waste at sanitary landfill sites could be used as embankments for roads. "We will start a pilot project and, based on its success, waste from sanitary landfill sites will be utilised in road constructions," said the official.

According to the report, about 65 to 75 per cent of segregated municipal solid waste from landfill sites could be used to construct embankments. Studies indicate that the hazardous impact of the waste would be reduced if it was used with developed methods in road construction.

The official said the process would reduce pollution, protect the environment and result in sustainable road construction. "The waste needs to be segregated first and then utilised in road construction in an environment-friendly manner. It is a better way to dispose of the waste," said environmentalist Alok Mohanty.

Based on a similar report from the institute, the National Highways Authority of India used solid waste was used to construct a 2km road at Ghazipur in Delhi last September.

Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said it would be a great initiative and they would look forward to collaborate with the pollution control board in implementing the pilot project.

"The project will not only ensure use of waste in a sustainable manner, but it will also lessen the burden of waste at our dump yard," said Jena.