JODHPUR, Sept. 6 -- With growing instances of heavy rainfall, floods and the demand for durable infrastructure, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are working on innovative ways to construct resilient roads by reusing waste. Their aim is to turn the challenge of waste disposal into an opportunity for sustainable and cost-effective road building, people aware of the matter said. Assistant professor Dr Bhupendra Singh from the Department of Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, who is leading the project, said, "Our research is driven by the vision of a sustainable and resilient India. By making road construction more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, we are not only improving infrastructure quality but also contributing to Viksit Bharat, where every resource is used wisely for nation-building." One of the major initiatives involves using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) sourced from demolished buildings. This helps reduce reliance on natural stone, which is rapidly depleting due to quarrying. To ensure RCA meets the required durability standards, the team applies specialized treatments such as mechanical, chemical, thermal, and even microwave methods to remove weak mortar residues. The researchers are also producing sustainable paver blocks, which are widely used in parking areas, footpaths, and urban landscapes. Instead of traditional cement-based blocks, which have a high carbon footprint, the IIT Jodhpur team is using waste plastic-collected from milk pouches in the institute mess-combined with recycled construction debris, reclaimed asphalt, and marble dust. These eco-friendly blocks not only manage plastic and construction waste but also provide strong and durable alternatives. Lab tests have shown that they meet both national and international standards consistently. Another key focus is Cold Mix Asphalt (CMA), a greener alternative to conventional hot mix asphalt. CMA requires less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases, but its adoption has been slow due to lower strength and durability. The IIT Jodhpur team have gone further by introducing nano-modified bitumen emulsions. With their ultra-fine size, these nano-materials improve binding, moisture resistance, and overall performance....