BANGALORE: Delhi has taken a cue from an experiment in Bangalore: using a mix of shredded plastic with asphalt to provide a lasting road layer. In Delhi's case, it is a question of having better roads in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games India is hosting.

Almost a year ago, the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) had decided to use polyblend for upgrading over 40 per cent of roads to be taken up under the World Bank assistance. Smaller stretches had been re-laid with a mix of plastic and asphalt earlier with a good success rate in terms of wear and tear.

Over 140 km along 41 roads are now being upgraded at a cost of Rs. 140 crore under the Karnataka Municipal Reforms Project (KRMRP) this year. The civic body has used plastic waste to asphalt over 300 km so far.

The BMP, which is seriously planning recycling of dry waste in its new garbage contracts likely to implemented from next year, has initiated talks with the city-based K.K. Plastic Waste Management Private Limited for supply of the company's patented "K K Polyblend."

World Bank authorities approved the BMP's proposal to use plastic waste and experts from the Central Road Research Institute and also from the Bangalore University's Centre for Transportation Engineering have tested the strength and durability of these roads. Use of the shredded plastic waste acts as a strong "binding agent" for tar making the asphalt last longer, it was found. The private suppliers have the capacity of recycling 10 tonnes of plastic a day and the exact quantity required for the roads is being worked out as work progresses.

Studies by the Indian Roads Congress and other bodies has found that when plastic waste is melted and mixed with bitumen in a particular ratio. Roads laid with plastic waste mix were found to be three-times stronger than conventional roads. Rainwater does not seep through because of the plastic in the asphalt. And as each km of road with an average width requires over two tonnes of polyblend, using plastic will help reduce non-biodegradable waste.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail