Pilot project on jute geotextile kicked off

Kolkata, June 2 (UNI) India's first pilot project on jute geotextile in road construction has kicked off in Ghatal in West Midnapore.

The project for the jute based alternative to conventional bitumen roads has been conceived and formulated by the Jute Manufacturers and Development Council (JMDC) in association with the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).

The project, to be completed by 2006-07, covers 4.8 km long Notuk-Dingal road, about 15 km from Ghatal sub-divisional headquarters, JMDC Secretary Arun Bol said.

''Research has shown that geotextile based-roads will be cheaper by Rs 72,000 per km compared to conventional roads,'' he said.

CRRI would monitor the pilot project in rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).

''PMGSY is a Rs 60,000 crore project and even 10 per cent of that pie for jute geotextile made roads would mean Rs 6,000 crore for the jute industry. This will be a big boon for the ailing industry,'' Mr Bol said.

The pilot project is spread over Asom, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal covering a total road length of 47.84 km.

The project, funded by the Union ministry of rural development, would take up two roads in each state and would cost Rs 17.83 crore.

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