The news has highlighted a groundbreaking project where experts from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, have turned their attention to the development of crash barriers made of beema bamboo and coir. This promising endeavor aims to offer a more cost-effective alternative to current steel barriers, with the goal of reducing the number of fatalities caused by road accidents on highways.
Background: The Issue of Road Accidents
India witnesses close to 5 lakh road accidents each year, resulting in around 1.5 lakh fatalities. A significant portion of these accidents, over a third, occur on highways. To combat this, India has dedicated itself to a project that targets the elimination of accident-prone “black spots” and amendment of road designs on highways. Funding for this project is immense, with loans amounting to Rs. 14,000 crore provided by the Asian Development Bank and World Bank.
Conventional Crash Barriers and Their Cost
Crash barriers serve the vital function of preventing vehicles from veering off highways. In the event of an accident, they cushion the impact, minimizing the possible fatalities. However, traditional crash barriers, made from metal and alloy, can cost around Rs. 2,000 per meter. This represents roughly 5% of the total expenditure associated with enhancing the safety features of India’s highways.
Innovation in Safety: The Beema Bamboo Crash Barrier
The new crash barrier design incorporates five feet fencing of beema bamboo. These are installed deeply into concrete slabs and bound together using robust coir ropes. Remarkably, the estimated cost of these beema bamboo barriers is approximately one-third of their conventional metal counterparts.
Understanding Beema Bamboo and Coir
Beema, or Bheema bamboo, is a variation of the traditional bamboo found widespread in the Indian subcontinent, especially the North-East. Engineered scientifically, these bamboos are robust, durable, rapidly-growing, and considerably taller than their traditional counterparts. This type of bamboo thrives particularly well in southern India, predominantly in Karnataka and its surrounding areas.
Coir, a natural fiber extracted from the outer husk of coconuts, is used extensively in the production of various items, such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, and mattresses. The term ‘Coir’ originates from ‘kayar’, the Tamil and Malayalam name for cord or rope.
Significance of Beema Bamboo Crash Barriers
Beema bamboo exhibits impressive tensile strength that surpasses even steel, thanks to its axially positioned fibers. It also boasts a remarkable fire resistance capability and can withstand temperatures rising up to 400 degrees Celsius. Its elasticity makes it the preferred choice in regions vulnerable to earthquakes. Moreover, its lightweight nature facilitates easy displacement or installation, simplifying transportation and construction processes.
