Bamboo App, BAMTECH, launched
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 01 2018:
BAMTECH, a mobile app designed for spreading awareness and information about bamboo housing and construction with the aim of popularising bamboo and increasing its uses/application, was launched at Manipur Press Club today.
Speaking to media persons at the launch event, DID Amhedabad, designer, Sushant Kumar Yumkhaibam said that the app is designed to provide information on how to select the right kind of bamboo, how to treat the bamboo before constructing the building, the various treatment processes for ensuring durability of the bamboo, how to erect bamboo pillars while constructing the structure, how to apply the finishing touch etc.
He explained that the app was designed by Building Material and Technology Promotion Council, Delhi (a Government body) along with South Asia Bamboo Foundation.
The app is completely free of charge and the app provides all the information and illustrations in such a way that even a layman can get to work immediately by following the procedures listed in the app, he added.
South Asia Bamboo Foundation's founder and bamboo management expert, Kamesh Salam said that if bamboo is used for construction of even 10/20 lakh houses as a part of the Prime Minister Awaj Yojna's target to build 3 crores house by 2020, the bamboo market will increase greatly.
He explained that around 55 species of bamboo are found in Manipur but only 5/6 of these can be utilised for building construction.
Pointing out that the app also features Indian Standard code, Kamesh Salam said that another main feature of the app is instructions/illustrations on how to build bamboo toilets.
He informed that kacha houses, build using bamboo treated as per the illustrations shown by the app, will last for around 35 years and as the bamboo used in the houses have received treatment, the houses can be called as pucca houses.
The app will be updated regularly, he added.