Govt specifies use of rubber in road construction [Feb 2012]

As per the Govt of India’s policy, modified bitumen can be used for the entire surfacing of the national highways. The use of natural rubber modified bitumen has been specified by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for binder courses and wearing courses laid on National Highways. The Central Road Research Institute has tested the technology for use of modified bitumen including natural rubber modified bitumen in construction and maintenance of roads under Ministry’s sponsored research scheme. As per findings of the study, natural rubber modified bitumen improves the durability of roads by reducing susceptibility towards temperature variations and improving the desirable properties of bitumen thereby giving overall better performance.

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