Bangalore: Trash to Treasure - Khan Bros Develop Eco-Friendly Plastic Roads


Bangalore: Trash to Treasure - Khan Bros Develop Eco-Friendly Plastic Roads
 
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (PS)
 
Bangalore, Jun 19:
Plastic waste strewn on the road is a common sight in any Indian city. But most people are content to throw the trash, then complain and blame the authorities for it. Few take the initiative to correct the wrong.
 
Rasool and Ahmed Khan, both traders of plastic once upon a time, are an exception, and indeed, their deeds are exceptional too.


Top: Rasool and Ahmed
Bottom: One of the roads laid by the brothers using recycled plastic

The two have taken the unique initiative of constructing roads using recycled plastic. These pro-development entrepreneurs have re-laid 1,400 km of plastic-bitumen road in Bangalore, thereby accomplishing a historic task.
 
The story behind the realization of this dream project is worth a mention. When the state government imposed ban on the usage of plastic bags less than 40 microns in the year 1996, the duo faced the possibility of their factory getting closed. There were 100 workers in their tiny factory. In view of their future, Rasool and Ahmed found out an alternative way of helping them. They worked out a plan to use plastic waste with bitumen in constructing roads.
 
However, it took quite a long time to realize their dream. In the year 1997-1998, the Khan brothers experimented with a mixture of stones with plastic tar to fill the potholes on a road in Jayanagara area.
 
This evoked an excellent response right in the beginning. Motivated by the response, the duo went on to fill about 300 potholes within a short span of time.
 
Bits of plastic waste collected from various apartments and civic workers are stored in bags and allowed to dry for a week. The plastic is then mixed with bitumen and asphalt at a factory located in the outskirts of the city.

The road made from the mixture of plastic waste and bitumen is resistant to rain and can last for nearly 6-7 years, as against normal roads that need to be re-laid every three years.
 
Rasool's son Amjad Khan, a chemical engineering student in RV College, Bangalore has also taken interest in his father’s project. The technology developed by the brothers has also obtained patent from Central Road Research Institute (CRRI). Between 1998 and 2000, around 600 potholes were filled in the vicinity of Jayanagar using this technology.
 
In the year 2002, with the support of the then chief minister S M Krishna, Rasool and Ahmed constructed the first-ever plastic-bitumen road stretching 500 meters in Bangalore. In the same year a stretch of 30 km was constructed for Bangalore City Corporation.
 
Apart from Bangalore, the brothers have also laid roads in Delhi for 2 km and in Hyderabad for 6 km. Raichur district administration has also approached the brothers, and the technology has evoked interest in even countries like Saudi Arabia, Italy, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma and Nigeria.

  

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Comment on this article

  • sabrina siga, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

    Sun, Jun 07 2015

    Please may I know how to contact the brothers

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ria Pai, Mumbai

    Mon, Jan 13 2014

    It's an awesome idea. At least there is a way out to reuse plastic.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • RAFI FARUKHI, DALLAS-TEXAS-USA

    Fri, Jul 05 2013

    CONGRATS TO AHMED AND RASOOL.
    VERY PROUD OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.

    KINDLY HAVE THEM CONTACT ME.

    RAFI FARUKHI

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • srihari, kanchipuram

    Mon, Oct 08 2012

    good idea,can we use any type of plastics mixed together and heated

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Venkat Ramesh, Chennai

    Sat, Jul 07 2012

    Excellent initiative....we needed your contact details

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sheila, Bombay/Dubai

    Sat, Jun 23 2012

    Dear Khan Brothers, Keep up the good work, can u pls go to Bombay and teach those lazy BMC authorities how to fill up the potholes (and also fill some of their pockets)

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaikh Mohd Rizwan, Karkala

    Fri, Jun 22 2012

    Dear readers,
    A good initiative.But more research needed due to the chemical properties of plastic compound.They can use human hair and rubber along with bit mun which will stop water being seeping through and road cracking.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prem, M'lore

    Fri, Jun 22 2012

    Jai Ho,
    Where is Nagesh Mam, Rakesh? No coments from these people who are concerned about the development of India. Please tell everyone that shreeman Yeddi/ Mutalik inspired them. Take credit guys .... nothing wrong in it. Hohohoh Jai Ho......

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • nalin, goa

    Thu, Jun 21 2012

    agreed that plastic gives toxic fumes,keep it as it is and it causes more problem.till we find alternative to plastics,its here to stay.Accept it,and find way out.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dans, Kaup

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    Congrats My Brother,s You guys have potential go for expansion with variants in the Category. Think Big and go globally.Show up, may almighty bless you. God Bless

    DisAgree [2] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Pradeep, Mangalore

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    Congratulations !!

    Very simple and brilliant work!

    Manipal MIT and NIT KREC colleges should do project work on Road Construction improvement for Mangalore-Udipi-Manipal-Kundapur sector roads - treatement of potholes and Road Design to save Crores of Scams and Road Repair every year!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roella Alvaraes, vamanjoor

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    Mangalore needs to hire the Khan family to help do up the roads and highways as they are in a pathetic state. Good work and a good way to save the environment from trash.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mapusa/Mumbai

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    Government of India should award Khan Brothers and ask them to implement such roads all over India.

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Prakash Harischandra, Surathkal/GalvestonTXUSA

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    A very good intiative. At least something positive to hear .

    DisAgree Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • a.v.a, mlore

    Wed, Jun 20 2012

    This can be easily solved by using proper filters and by breaking down the gases by changing the molecular structure. In the long run its value for money as these roads are more durable and the plastic properly utilized. Only that the plastic as not being decomposed could seep into the soil.

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shammi, Karnataka

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Good work khan bros!  you inspire us.....i think ameer khan should approach u guyz on his show satyam eva jayathe....proud that indians found this unique method of road construction.keep up the good work.May almighty cherish u.

    DisAgree Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald D, Udupi

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    SM Krishna was an educated CM supported by good law makers. Now a days our law makers are busy in resort & chair politics!!!!
    Our DK roads need help of Khan brothers technology!! But our environmentalists may not allow them...same fate as fly ash roads...! Parisaravadi's are a major problem in DK. Only sariparivadi's can deal with them!!!

    DisAgree [6] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • geoffrey, hat hill

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Sounds good, but the concern here is, even though the factory is located on the outskirts of the city, it’s known fact that some of the plastics upon heating are capable releasing highly toxic fumes. PVC and polystyrene for example when heated release chlorine and benzene both are toxic, latter being a proven carcinogen.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Congratulations Khan Brothers. This kind industry needs goverment support in giving contracts. Plastic waste could be put into good use.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar., M

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Bhai Ahmed aur Rasool
    Plastic se Paisa 'Wasool'
    Hain Dono 'Khan'
    Badaye bengaluru Ki 'Shaan!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [112] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancelot N Tauro, Manglore - Doha Qatar

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Kya idea Sirji.. Rasool brothers all the best.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [65] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arshad Kadli, Bhatkal/ Al Khobar

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    A venture with good intentions always leads to success. The concern for loss of employment for 100 people led them to innovation.
    The famous MTR brand was also born under similar circumstances.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse

  • akshay, mangalore/dubai

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Great to hear such innovation which helps nature excellent job by khan brothers hope they get awarded part of the patent keep it up such good work

    DisAgree [3] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr. H.M. watson, Moodabidri/Germany

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Manasiddare maarga.Well done Khan Brothers. The best solution for the plastic waste. Khan Bros. need recognition and encouragement. Government should take this as a model project and develop it and use this in all its road construction work.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vijay, Bangalore

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Great idea. May god bless you both.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok, Udupi/Dubai

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    God bless you both. Best of luck in future plan.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [55] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal,Sharjah

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Why Khan Brothers were kept in Dark room all these years ? I mean,How come media failed to recognize their marvellous work ?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [78] Reply Report Abuse

  • Franklyn, Mangalore/Dubai

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Congratulation Khan Brothers for turning trash to treasure. Please give a quote to Mangalore city corporation for filling the pot holes in the city as they do so with soil and stones which will last only for a day.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [54] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Tue, Jun 19 2012

    Congrats to Khan duos and Govt need to use this plastic technology in roads on large scale.In Kerala State, rubber also used for road and it is a success story.Due to rain roads are getting disfigured in that case Plastic and Rubber can be used for cost effectiveness & durability.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [77] Reply Report Abuse


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