New Delhi, Jan. 28 -- The Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Association (ATMA) has urged the Indian government to implement an immediate ban on waste and scrap tyre imports, citing a dramatic five-fold increase in such shipments over the past three years.

According to Commerce Ministry data, waste tyre imports have surged from 264,000 tonnes in fiscal year 2021 to 1.398 million tonnes in fiscal year 2024, raising significant environmental and safety concerns.

In a pre-budget submission, ATMA Chairman Arnab Banerjee emphasised that these unrestricted imports are undermining India's Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) Regulation on Waste Tyres, which was implemented in July 2022.

The EPR framework was established to ensure proper managem...