Coir Geo Textile | 21 May 2020

Why in News

Recently, the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA) has announced that coir geo textiles will be used for construction of rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III).

  • This would give a boost to the Coir industry hit due to Covid-19 pandemic.
  • NRIDA is an agency under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Geo Textiles

  • These are synthetic including polyester and polypropylene or man-made materials that have varying degrees of permeability.
    • Permeability means their surfaces have very small openings that allow liquid or gases to pass through.
  • Characteristics of Geo Textile Fabrics:
    • It has the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect and drain when used in association with soils.
    • It drains areas where water pools while keeping soil in place.
    • It serves as effective filters, catching some materials to prevent drains from clogging.
    • It reinforces earthen structures like drains by holding layers in place.
    • It protects against erosion in places like roads and beaches.
  • These functions make Geo Textile fabrics useful in many industries, especially construction and civil engineering.

Key Points

  • Coir Geo Textile:
    • Coir is a 100% natural fiber, obtained from a renewable source – the coconut husk.
    • Coir Geo Textile is naturally resistant to rot, molds and moisture, and free from any microbial attack hence it needs no chemical treatment.
    • It has a permeable, natural and strong fabric with high durability.
    • It protects the land surface and promotes quick vegetation.
    • It is totally biodegradable, and helps in soil stabilisation.
    • It can dissipate the energy of flowing water and absorb the excess solar radiation.
  • PMGSY New Technology Guidelines:
    • The new guidelines encourage locally available materials and use of green technologies for construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
    • The State Governments are required to propose a minimum 15% of total length of annual road proposals under new technologies such as cement stabilization, Lime stabilization, cold mix, waste plastics, cell filled concrete, paneled cement concrete pavement, fly ash etc.
    • Out of this, 5% roads are to be constructed using Indian Road Congress (IRC) accredited technology. The IRC has now accredited coir Geo textiles for construction of rural roads.
    • Thus, 5% length of the rural roads under PMGSY-III will be constructed using coir geo textiles.
    • 1674 km road will be constructed using Coir Geo textiles in 07 states i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamilanadu and in Telangana.
    • There will be a requirement of One Crore Sq. mtrs of coir geo textiles, estimated cost of which would come to Rs.70 Crore.

Indian Road Congress

  • The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the apex body of Highway Engineers in the country.
  • It was set up in December, 1934 on the recommendations of the Indian Road Development Committee also known as Jayakar Committee (under the Chairmanship of Shri M.R. Jayakar) with the objective of road development in India.
  • It works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • It is committed to utilise global best practices and promote the use of cutting edge technologies for construction for the maintenance of roads, bridges and road transportation.
  • It promotes environmental strategy for promotion of cleaner, less energy intensive and less polluting construction techniques and use of recycled wastes.
  • Indian Road Congress (IRC) accredited technology:
  • The Committee for Accreditation of New Materials and Techniques formed under the aegis of Highway Research Board of Indian Roads Congress gives accreditations to patented or new materials, techniques developed in India and abroad and evaluated as per recognized National/ International Specifications.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana - III

  • The Phase III of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched in 2019.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana was launched to provide connectivity to unconnected habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy.
  • The National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency works to implement the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana across states.
    • The Ministry of Rural Development along with state governments is responsible for the implementation of PMGSY.
  • Under the PMGSY-III Scheme, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States.
    • It involves consolidation through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.
  • The duration of the third phase is 2019-20 to 2024-25.
  • The funds are shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern states and Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand for which it is 90:10.

Source: PIB