Geotextiles critical for infra projects in Northeast India: Manipur CM

24 Aug '22

2 min read

Pic: 123rf.com

Technical textiles such as geotextiles hold tremendous opportunities for infrastructure projects in the north-eastern region, especially in Manipur, Biren Singh, chief minister of Manipur, said at the recent Technical Textiles Conference held in Imphal, Manipur. As north-eastern Indian states are prone to floods, landslides, and soil erosion, there are ample opportunities for the usage of geotextiles.

“It is high time to promote technical textiles widely in construction projects in improving the quality of infrastructure segments, especially geotextiles. Geotextiles can be instrumental for the betterment of the economic life of Manipur as well as other north-eastern states,” said Nemcha Kipgen, minister of the textiles, commerce, and industry and co-operation department, according to a government press release.

“Robust inter-ministerial coordination and cooperation are needed for paving a strong path for the development of the technical textiles market in India,” said Darshana Vikram Jardosh, minister of state for textiles and railways.

“With the usage of geotextiles, roads are constructed quickly, optimally, and qualitatively. Usage of geotextiles helps to increase the life of pavements by 30-50 years. Geotextile products used in ministry projects include woven and non-woven geotextiles, biaxial and multiaxial geogrids, geocells, geonets, and geocomposites, etc. for the reinforcement of pavements, stress-relief for slopes, barriers, separation, filtration, drainage, protection, and stabilisation. Most of the geotextile products are manufactured in India,” said Giridhar Aramane, secretary, ministry of road transport and highways.

Aramane added that the country’s ministry of road transport and highways has been conducting various studies related to geosynthetics, geogrids, geonets, natural fibres, etc. with premier institutes of India including IIT Hyderabad and IIT Chennai. The government, industry, and academia should work together towards spreading the utilisation of geotextiles in India.

A presentation was held on the components of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) scheme at the conference. Various initiatives have been undertaken under the scheme including the sanction of 31 research projects worth ₹108 crore in the areas of specialty fibres and geotextiles; developing 31 new HSN codes dedicated to technical textile products; and developing 500+ standards in collaboration with BIS, among others, added the release.

India’s ministry of textiles in collaboration with the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organised the Technical Textiles Conference on August 23, 2022, in Imphal, Manipur. The conference focused on technical sessions related to the application and usability of geotextiles and agrotextiles.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)