Question : Use of Crumb Rubber in Road Construction

(a) whether the Government is aware that a huge number of rubber tyres are disposed of in the country each year;
(b) if so, whether the Government is aware of the environmental impact of burial and burning of such tyres and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has considered improving the properties of bitumen used for road construction by blending it with crumb rubber from disposable tyres for improving the bitumen binder properties and cost-effectiveness; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the alternate measures being undertaken for safe disposal of rubber tyres?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (d) The Government is aware of the problem of disposal of rubber tyres and also benefits from its use in bituminous pavement courses. Normal bitumen modified with crumb rubber & other additives has improved performance compared to normal bitumen. The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) has published IRC:SP:53 “Guidelines on Use of Modified Bitumen in road construction”. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has issued guidelines from time to time for use of such modified bitumen in bituminous pavement courses. Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen is being used in wearing coat of flexible pavement.
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