BCC to embrace plastic roads

BCC to embrace plastic roads
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: There’s some good news for motorists vexed with the condition of Bangalore roads. Come November, the Bangalore City Corporation will begin work on laying 530 km of highly durable plastic roads.

Only on Wednesday did Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit announce that the capital’s civic body would soon emulate Bangalore in taking to laying plastic roads that last up to two years without repairs. The BCC is waiting for the rains to lessen to begin work.

Technology developed by city-based K K Plastic Waste Management Ltd. (KKPWM) — bitumen blended with eight to ten per cent of processed recycled plastic — will be used. It is a polyblend that was created by KKPWM MD Ahmed Khan and his brother Rasool Khan with the help of a chemical engineer and has been patented and certified by the Delhi-based Central Road Research Institute.

This polyblend, manufactured using over 100 tons of recycled plastic, was used by the BCC to lay 40 km of road on a trial basis in 2002. Some stretches laid were on Cunningham Road, Chord Road, Mysore Road-Ring Road and Millers Road.

‘‘These stretches have survived two monsoons and two winters and the BCC is convinced with the efficacy of our product,’’ Ahmed Khan told this paper.

Khan’s mixture is environment-friendly and according to him, the BCC has already placed an order for 530 km of road to be supplied during the works that begin next month. Khan said the BCC Standing Committee had given its nod for the project.

However, the cost of laying a plastic road is six to eight per cent higher than ordinary bitumen road. ‘‘Savings accrue in the long term as the longevity of plastic road is far greater than ordinary roads,’’ said Ahmed.

A field test report by Bangalore University revealed that the polymer blend increases the fatigue-life and strength of road by three times.

Bangalore generates over 10-15 tons of plastic waste every day which KKPWM collects through a network of rag pickers by paying them Rs. 150-Rs. 300 per day. ‘‘This project has a socio-economic face. It is not only eco-friendly but also generates employment for the poor,’’ Ahmed said.

Though the first phase is only for BCC-maintained roads, Khan has made presentations to BDA and CMCs urging them to use his technology for their roads.