Govt to use bamboo-made ‘Bahu Balli’ fences along highways: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said in Rajya Sabha that the government plans to introduce bamboo-made ‘Bahu Balli’ fences along national highways. This pilot project will commence in Chhattisgarh. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the House that this is an alternative to steel usage and will be eco-friendly too. The move would boost the rural economy, and villagers and tribals would benefit from it.

Gadkari responded to supplementary queries of MPs during Question Hour. ‘Bahu Balli’ fencing is being experimented with for the first time and is eco-friendly too. All testing has been done and cross-barriers of bamboo are being developed. All approvals have been received. 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,” the minister said amidst a commotion created by the opposition members over the Manipur issue.

Answering another supplementary question, Gadkari said rural areas will benefit from it as farmers will sow bamboo on wastelands. He said ethanol is being made from bamboo in Assam, besides pickles and textiles.

A proposal has been received and an order has been placed for the feasibility and demonstration of ‘Bahu Balli’ fences. Gadkari said, “In China, bamboo has a big economy and, in our country too. The bamboo economy will be set up and can be saved because of such cross-barrier steel. If the bamboo cross-barriers are successful, then cross-barriers will be made of bamboo on roads and tribals and rural people will benefit from it.”

Nitin Gadkari in his written reply to a question, 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 onto the expressway.” Further, fencing generally comprises mild steel sections and welded steel wire mesh. The Ministry issued guidelines on 04.02.2019 to provide a precast concrete boundary wall near the RoW boundary on expressways and green-field access controlled national highways.