Jute geotextile application in state reviewed

SHILLONG: Moloy Chandan Chakrabortty, Jute Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles, arrived in the city on Saturday to inspect the condition of hill slopes which were stabilised using jute geotextiles a year ago.
The Ministry of Textiles had approved six projects for hill slope stabilisation in the state under PWD’s Nongstoin, NH-Shillong Byepass and Jowai divisions.
The projects were sanctioned under the ‘Scheme for promoting usage of geotechnical textiles in the North Eastern Region’ where an amount of Rs 40 crore has been earmarked.
The scheme aims to promote and increase the usage of geotechnical textiles in civil engineering projects such as road construction, slope protection and water reservoirs in the region.
It may be mentioned that Meghalaya is in the forefront to implement this scheme with the largest area of application of jute geotextiles in the six projects.
Chakrabortty also visited a project site at 12th Mile in East Khasi Hills which was earlier very prone to excessive erosion.
Chakrabortty was accompanied by scientists of the Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA), Kolkata led by US Sarma, Director, IJIRA, Palash Paul, Scientist, IJIRA and PWD officials D Langstang, Executive Engineer, North Jowai Division, and K Nongsteng, AEE of NH- Shillong Bye Pass Division.
It was observed that areas without geotextile were eroded compared to geotextile-covered areas.
The Jute Commissioner also informed that seminars and workshops would be conducted shortly to generate more awareness on the effectiveness of jute geotextile.
IJIRA, being a centre of excellence in the application of jute geotextiles in the North East, had applied open weave jute geotextiles at the site in collaboration with the PWD.