Footpaths to go green!

Days after the GHMC’s demolition drive of encroachments on footpaths, the authorities have come up with a unique idea — to build new, eco-friendly footpaths.

Instead of the traditional concrete and cement, they intend to use the more modern, sand, permeable concrete, and plastic paver blocks. The proposal has already been approved by the state’s Urban Development Minister K.T. Rama Rao, and implementation is on in full swing.

Talking about the initiative, Hari Chandana, the Commissioner of the West Zone, says, “It was actually K.T.R. sir’s idea to build eco-friendly footpaths. He wants to make Hyderabad a pedestrian-friendly city and ensure that the common man does not suffer due to the increase in the number of vehicles in the city.” The first phase of the project is already underway, and commuters can expect to start using eco-friendly footpaths within the next 10 days.
 
“We are experimenting with a permeable concrete cycle track cum pedestrian zone from Inorbit Mall to Nectar Garden. The plastic paver blocks are manufactured from waste and recycled plastic. They’re laid using permeable concrete. Such footpaths allow water to penetrate and reach the groundwater table. This will help us save and use a lot of the rainwater that would otherwise have gone down the drain,” Chandana says.

She adds, “Just as China is coming up with sponge roads that absorb water, we are trying to fashion eco-friendly footpaths.” The plastic pavers come in two variants that differ in terms of their load-bearing capacity. One variant is best suited for footpaths; and the other, for roads. “And they come in various colours, so they’ll make for vibrant footpaths,” the Commissioner concludes.