New Delhi (NVI): The Union Ministry of Transport and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed a MoU today, to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and co-operation on sustainable geo-hazard management.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Giridhar Aramane and Secretary, DRDO Satieesh Reddy.
Under the MoU, it has been agreed that MoRTH and DRDO will co-operate in the areas of mutual benefit including, conceptual planning of integrated avalanche/landslide protection schemes for all weather connectivity in snow bound areas of our country, the Ministry of Transport said in a statement.
This will also include pre-feasibility of tunnels and viaducts, planning and designing of various avalanche/landslide control structures, association in preparation of proposals/DPRs for tunnels including geological/geotechnical/terrain modeling and other related aspects of tunnels etc, it added.
The initiative will ensure safety of road users on National Highways across the country against the adverse effects of landslides and other natural calamities.
Furthermore, both the organizations agreed to utilize the expertise of DRDO through Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE) in providing sustainable mitigation measures to damages caused by landslides, avalanche and other natural factors on various NHs in the country, the ministry noted.
The other areas of collaboration includes investigation of the existing critical avalanches/geo hazards such as landslides, slope instability, sinking problems etc. Also, planning, designing and formulation of sustainable mitigation measures for geo-hazards for NHs including tunnels.
Apart from this, supervision or monitoring during implementation of the mitigation measures and any other services, as may be required.
The ministry further stated that, DRDO is an apex organization working on various cutting edge technologies, while DGRE, a premier laboratory of DRDO, is leader in the development of critical technologies for enhancing combat effectiveness with a focus on terrain and avalanches.
The role and charter of this establishment is mapping, forecasting, monitoring, control and mitigation of landslides and avalanches in Himalayan terrain. However, the transport ministr is responsible for development and maintenance of national highways across the country, the statement added.
-RJV
