German technology to come to the aid of State roads and NHs
Consultants to arrive on July 12
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 29 2012:
Sections of the National Highways and State Highways which are prone to landslide and sinking would be repaired and developed using a new German technology known as Geotextiles.
For this German consultants would arrive at Imphal on July 12 .
A discussion programme on Geotextiles and Agro-textiles was held today at Hotel Classic under the aegis of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Textiles and the State Government.
It was the third such discussion programme in the North East and the programme was inaugurated by Chief Secretary DS Poonia.
Geotextiles is a very recent technology imported from Germany.
For implementation of a pilot project where the technology would be applied, the Government of India has put in Rs 500 crores in the budget and the same amount has been handed over to the Ministry of Textiles.
Geotextiles is a technology which is based on synthetic polymer and is comparatively quite resistant to landslide and soil erosion.
For application of this new technology in Manipur, Principal Secretary (Works) Ram Muivah has been selected as the nodal officer.
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Taking part in the discussion programme, Ministry of Textiles, Joint Secretary Surjit Gulati said that the new technology would be applied in the North East region in making roads, construction of retaining walls along hill slopes and protection of river banks.
Ram Muivah said that landslides and sinking road surfaces on Mao-Maram section of NH 2 still remain a major headache for the BRO even though they are in charge of the same section for the last 32 years.
The Central Road Research Institute has even suggested to re-align the highway, particularly along this section.
Informing that spot inspections have been carried out regarding sinking of road on Mao-Maram section on June 19 as well as sinking of the Ukhrul town road, Ram Muivah said that German consultants would make field assessment of the roads and identify the areas where the project of Geotextiles would be taken up.
Whatever expenditures incurred in executing the project would be borne by the Centre.
Saying that there are certain technical defects in the Nambul river project, the Principal Secretary conveyed the Ministry's desire to re-implement the project using Geotextiles technology.