National Highway-39 is the lifeline for Nagaland and Manipur, linking the North-Eastern states with the mainland. The national highway, throughout its length, is prone to continuous landslides due to frequent tremors. To contain landslides and soil erosion, 15 Border Road Task Force (BRTF) sought the help of Central Coir Research Board of India (CCRI).

The Coir Board experimented with the indigenous geotextile technology, known as the Coir Bhoovastra, for stabilising and strengthening the soil on this highway. The technology is being used for the first time in association with 15 BRTF. The technology, as explained by Mr T Ravindran, Senior Scientific Officer, CCRI, entails the judicious use of nature. Coir, a hundred per cent natural product, is made of fibre extracted from coconut husk which is both eco-friendly and biodegradable.

Regarding the application of coir based geotextiles, the authorities at CCRI say that the entire slope is sectioned and two trenches are dug, one at the top and one below. The coir mat is rolled down the slope and stapled to the earth using bamboo stakes. The coir mat is anchored using coco legs (legs made from coco fibres) of 20 cms in diameter. Thereafter, deeprooted grass varieties like vetrivel, lemon grass, dalmorsa and napier are planted using mesh holes in the coir mat at a gap of 20 cms apart. These grass varieties retain the soil in due course of time and prevent erosion. The grass once planted is to be manured and watered in case the land is not fertile and rainfall is scarce.

Thus, NH-39 has been given a face- lift, thanks to CCRI and 15 BRTF. Due to improvement in the state of this highway, the time needed to drive a distance of 74 kms between Kohima and Dimapur has now been reduced by almost 20 minutes.

This indigenous geotextile technology has been applied in the North-East for the first time. The technology, with varied benefits including reduction in pollution of the atmosphere and soil, has already been accepted by various Western countries. It has already been tested by the Defence Research Laboratory, Tezpur. It ushers in a revolution in the craft of road making, particularly in the North-East where road and rail pass through hills and are subject to frequent landslides and consequent blockades.