The government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that it will install bamboo-made "Bahu Balli" walls along motorways and national roads, including a trial project in Chhattisgarh, news agency PTI reported. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, informed the House that this is an environmentally preferable alternative to the usage of steel. According to him, the action will also assist develop the rural economy and benefit peasants and tribals.
Addressing supplementary questions of MPs during the Question Hour, Gadkari stated: "This type of 'Bahu Balli' fencing is being experimented for the first time and it is eco-friendly too. All testing has been done and instead of steel, cross-barriers of bamboo are being developed. All approvals have been received."
Amidst the uproar caused by opposition members over the Manipur issue, Gadkari said: "We have decided to institute a pilot project in Chhattisgarh and if it is successful, there will be cross-barriers of bamboo instead of steel. It will be eco-friendly and tribals will get work in tribal areas. Bamboo is available in the northeast in abundance."
He stated that access-control roads are being built to prevent animals from entering roadways, and that similar barriers would be deployed there as well.
In response to another supplemental question, the minister stated that it will assist rural regions because farmers will grow bamboo on wastelands.
In addition to pickles and textiles, he stated that ethanol is produced from bamboo in Assam.
"In China, bamboo has a big economy and in our country too, bamboo economy will be set up and can be saved because of such cross-barriers steel. If the bamboo cross-barriers is successful, then cross-barriers will be made of bamboo on roads and tribals and rural people will benefit from it," Gadkari was quoted by PTI in its report.
In his written reply to a question, the minister said, "Manual of specifications and standards for expressways provides for fencing near RoW (right of way) boundary to prevent entry of pedestrians, animals and vehicles on to the expressway."
"Further, fencing generally comprises mild steel sections and welded steel wire mesh. However, Ministry issued guidelines on 04.02.2019 to provide precast concrete boundary wall near RoW boundary on expressways and green-field access controlled national highways. A proposal has been received and an order has been placed for feasibility and demonstration of 'Bahu Balli' fences," he said.