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.
Coir Geotextiles will be used for the construction of rural roads under the PMGSY-III says communication from the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency under Union Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India. This decision would boost demand in the stagnated coir industry. In March 2020, the government announced National Technical Textile Mission, and the use of geotextiles in highways, railways, and ports was envisaged in the proposed mission.
KEY POINTS
- As per the PMGSY new technology guidelines for road construction, 15% length in each batch of proposals is to be constructed using new technologies.
- 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.
- As per these instructions, 5% length of the rural roads under PMGSY-III will be constructed using Coir Geotextiles.
- 1674 km road will be constructed using Coir Geotextiles in 07 states for which there will be a requirement of One Crore Sq. meters of coir Geo-textiles, estimated cost of which would come to Rs.70 Crore.
GEOTEXTILES
Geotextiles are permeable materials that can separate, filter, reinforce, protect, or drain when used in conjunction with soil. Geotextile fabrics are typically comprised of polypropylene or polyester and come in three main types: woven (like mail bag sacking), needle punched (like felt), and heat bonded (resembling ironed felt).
BENEFITS
- 100% Natural fiber, extracted from coconut husk
- Adds organic material to the soil
- Promotes vegetative growth
- Environmentally friendly
- Tough, durable, versatile and resilient
- High tear-strength resistance
- Easy to install/maintain/patch up.
- Follows the contour of the soil surface.
- Hygroscopic properties (absorbing or attracting moisture from the air)
- High tensile strength
India’s Coir Industry
- India contributes 70% of the global production of Coir and 80% of the world trade in Coir products.
- Kerala produces 60% of the total world supply of white coir fibre.
- Over 50% of the coir fibre produced annually throughout the world is consumed mainly in India.
- Together India and Sri Lanka produce 90% of the 250,000 metric tons of coir produced every year.
- Coir industry provides employment to more than 7.3 lakh people in rural areas, 80% of which are women.
- Acceptability of Coir products has increased rapidly due to its ‘environment-friendly’ image.
- During the year 2020-21, the export of coir and coir products reached an all time high of Rs 3778.97 crore, with a growth rate of 17% in quantity and 37% in value, despite COVID adversities.
- The top five coir importing countries from India are the US followed by China, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the UK, according to the ministry’s 2020-21 annual report.
