By Our Staff Reporter MUMBAI, FEB. 21
India has become export hub for geo textile roll goods / raw material with exports of over 80 million square metre geo fabrics exported per annum, according to Mr. Mr. V. Kannan, Reliance Industries Ltd.
Speaking at the seminar on “Usage and advantages of Geo synthetics in Roads” was organized by Indian Technical Textile Association (ITTA) jointly with Ministry of Textile (MOT) in collaboration with Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH) and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in New Delhi recently, Mr. Kannan informed that the supply chain of geo textiles was well in place with raw material supplier, 13 major geo textile manufacturers and 3+ machinery manufacturers for Geo synthetic in India Opportunity in new product manufacturing, he said, was prevalent for extruded geo grid. Geo cell and opportunity for application of Geo foam was emphasized by Mr. Kanan while presenting his paper on “Geo textile –Supply chain Scenario and untapped application in India.”
Mr. S. K. Ray of Reliance Industries Ltd in his presentation on “Geo textile-Supply chain scenario” informed that huge Opportunities existed for geo synthetic usage in all infrastructure projects including Roads, Railways, Coastal Protection Ports, River bank Protection and Airports. Mr. Ray emphasized the upon the significance of government support for the growth of industry in terms of drafting of standards, awareness creation, incentives for manufacturers, IRC codes, coverage in schedule of rates of states. He also empasized on need for forging partnership between contractors, government departments. ITTA, nodal agency and consultants for creation of common geo textile platform.
Mr. P. L. Bongirwar , Advisor, L&T, during his presentation on “Geo-textiles in MORTH specifications for roads and bridges and geo textile in IRC codes” informed that under NHDP, PMGSY and JNURM major road improvement projects are contemplated. An investment of 8 to 10 Lakh crores in next 10 to 12 years is expected, he revealed. Industry can play an important role, Mr. Bongirwar said, by creating sophisticated test houses under CSIR as joint venture with part Govt funding; Educating the client with proper construction methodology, design and specification.
He suggested preparing guidelines for design of road pavement with the help of IIT,CRRI or other reputed institute Mr. Bongirwar noted that government can play an important role: by funding selected engineering colleges to procure sophisticated testing equipments ; encourage more institutes to start pavement design post graduate course and give special grants for the same; in collaboration with CSIR, Industry should establish sophisticated accredited test houses under PPP model.
During the panel session of the seminar, several issues were raised by the panelist and the actionable points which finally emerged were as follows:
1. Suggestions for cost effective solution for reduction of aggregate in construction of road as there is going to be scarcity of aggregate in the country on account of Government policies relating to environment / mining and court orders. ITTA to coordinate and submit suggestions to DG (Road).
2. Suggestions for cost effective geo synthetic solution for the Pedestrian friendly path for the devotees who walk bare feet. A site earmarked in Tamilnadu near Palani 1.5 Km stretch out of total 15 km for trial by geo synthetic manufacturers. DG (Road) enquired about feasibility of use of geo bags / geo cell. ITTA to coordinate with geo synthetic manufacturers and Chief Engineer, Tamil Nadu for the project.
3. For pilot projects 300 meter site can be given by MORTH in different areas of the country. If needed the traffic can be diverted to facilitate the trials. Geo synthetics manufacturers to identify the areas for pilot projects.
4. Solutions for cost effective rain water harvesting projects with the usage of geotextile across the high ways proposed to be undertaken by MORTH and also suggestion for monetizing the same. ITTA to coordinate with geo synthetics manufacturers and MORTH.
5. Infrastructure requirements of North Eastern States needs to be addressed by the Geotextile manufacturers. MORTH ready to give the project on turnkey basis which may include designing project execution etc. The payment to be released by MORTH after the performance guarantee period of upto 2 years. Geo synthetic manufacturers to visit the North Eastern States and select the site from the problematic sites identified by the Chief Engineers of those states.
6. IIT Madras has suggested geo synthetics solution for 5 km roads between Rameshwaram and Dhanuskodi in Tamilnadu. DG (Road) requested Geotextile manufacturers to study and come out with cost effective solution jointly with IIT madras.
7. DG (Road) nominated Mr. S.K.Nirmal, SE, MORTH to coordinate with ITTA for the activities mentioned above from 1 to 6.
8. For regular interaction between Civil Engineers and manufacturers the DG (Road) accepted the suggestion of ITTA for inclusion of ITTA members in MORTH committee for pilot project.
9. Secretary General, IRC invited all the geo textile manufacturers to become associate member of the IRC to enable them to get representation in various committees for facilitating interaction with civil engineers and also have a say in IRC codes etc.
10. Secretary General, IRC invited all the geo textile manufacturers to submit the documentation of all geo textile based works for building up data base of case studies of usage of geo synthetics in road and also take accreditation from IRC.
11. In April 2013, IRC is conducting regional workshop in Bangalore involving Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra , Orissa,
Chhattisgarh states Secretary General, IRC invited geo textile manufacturers to participate / make presentation in this workshop. (Source: Tecoya Trend)