TIRUCHY: City Corporation
would use seized plastic for road construction and repair works. The
civic body has two plastic shredding machines – in Srirangam and
Ariyamangalam zones.

These machines would shred seized
plastic products. Sources said most road construction works are likely
to start only after the end of monsoon.

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“We have awarded contracts for starting
repair works for most roads. But most of the contractors are planning to
start only after monsoon as unexpected rain would affect work,” a
source said.

Contractors, it is understood, have been
told to use shredded plastic to build roads. “They have to take
shredded plastic from the Corporation to repair or build a road.

The quantity would be decided by our engineers after considering various factors,” a senior official said.

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The use of shredded plastic would also
provide financial benefit to the Corporation. “We would charge about Rs
25 per kg of shredded plastic.

The contractor would give the money to
the Corporation. Through this system, we would dispose of tonnes of
seized plastic. The remaining plastic would be given to cement factories
for use in furnaces,” a source said.

The civic body has so far seized more
than eight tonnes of banned plastic products this year. Though it had
given a few tonnes to cement factories, the rest would be used in road
construction.

Public opined that the civic body should
take steps to start road repairs at the earliest. “It does not matter
whether they use plastic or other materials in road construction.
Residents just want better roads,” said R Ravikumar, a resident.