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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

New technology to help construction

M. Balaganessin

Of East Coast Road in the marine soil

Sturdy: Strengthening of a culvert in progress at Manamelkudi.

PUDUKOTTAI: The World Bank-funded East Coast Road project being implemented for a distance of about 100 km from Ramanathapuram to Kattumavadi village in Pudukottai district, has involved the use of modern technology in the wake of the marine soil condition in the area.

Being an estuary point for several rivers and rivulets, the presence of about 199 small, medium and large culverts in the zone has necessitated re-construction of these culverts and the authorities of the Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project (TNRSP) which is executing the project, have taken meticulous care to strengthen the structure of the road and also the culverts through meticulous planning.

Ten samples were collected for re-laying every km, and six tests were conducted for ascertaining the stability.

Thus, 10,000 samples were collected on this 100 km stretch, for ascertaining 60,000 tests.

The project on this 100 km long stretch is being implemented in phases, covering Ramanathapuram and Tiruppalakudi in the first phase; Tiruppalakudi and Thondi in the second; Thondi and Meemisal in the third and Meemisal and Kattumavadi in the final phase.

Work on the first and the second phases would be completed by May this year, while the work on the other phases, which suffered a setback following the showers in November last, has gained momentum.

According to E. Mohanraj, Project In-Charge, L&T, the implementing agency, the moisture content in the marine soil posed a challenge.

The earth was dug out to a depth of two metres and filled up with fresh soil capable of withstanding the load.

Around the culverts, a concrete wall to a height of two metres was constructed at each site.

The rods used for culverts were carefully tested and painted to avoid rusting.

“We use a mini road-roller for uniform refilling of the area, for ensuring its stability to withstand the load of heavy vehicles for the next decade,” he says.

The other rural roads in the coastal belt were ‘sinking’ because of the heavy moisture content.

The Ramanathapuram–Kattumavadi stretch forms part of the ECR project linking Arcot and Tuticorin, sanctioned in February 2004 with a total outlay of Rs.2,160 crore.

A sum of Rs.1,148 crore was being utilised to upgrade the road, TNSRP sources told The Hindu on Thursday.

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