The Indian Road Congress (IRC) has recognised jute as a geo-textile that can be used in building roads. Its recognition by IRC will help boost the jute industry of West Bengal, which employs over lakhs of people. The industry has been trying for the last 7 years to persuade various states to consider jute as a potential geo-textile for constructing roads.

Multiple types of jute based geo-textiles have been identified by IRC and a notification regarding the same is expected soon, said Subrata Gupta, joint secretary to the ministry of textiles during the Textiles India 2017 roadshow.

Many states were reluctant to use the geo-textile in road construction as it wasn't recognised. The recognition will help boost the jute industry, said media reports quoting Gupta.

Currently, polyester geo-textile is used for constructing roads. Gupta said that the recognition by IRS will also help pushing the geo-textile in the international markets like the US and Japan.

Three varieties of jute geo-textile are already being used for constructing roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sarak Yojana (PMGSY).

The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the apex body of highway engineers in the country. The IRC was set up in December, 1934 with the objective of road development in India. (KD)