GUWAHATI: Bamboo-based composites may replace conventional building materials in constructing bunkers for the Indian Army in often freezing conditions at high altitudes.
The Army’s 3 Corps based in north-central Assam’s Tezpur and the Indian Institution of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) signed a memorandum of understanding for research, design, and fabrication of epoxy bamboo-based composites as “replacement of traditional building materials used in the construction of bunkers” at high altitudes.
These areas are mostly in Arunachal Pradesh whose northern border runs along the Eastern Himalayas.
“The project will culminate in the construction of multiple defence works in high-altitude terrain for field trials, where they will be subjected to small arms fire and endure an entire weather cycle,” a Defence statement said on Tuesday (January 4, 2025).
“The fabricated panels will provide the same level of protection, albeit with reduced weight, which will decrease the time and effort required for ferrying supplies, ultimately enhancing force preservation,” it said.
An Army officer said the products envisaged may take a long time to materialise as the project entails research and design by the IIT-G experts in consultation with the Army.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in the presence of Maj. Gen. Rohin Bajwa, the General Officer Commanding, Red Horns Division, and Prof. Devendra Jalihal, the Director of IIT-G.
“This initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening the Indian Army’s capabilities which are aligned with the Chief of the Army Staff’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ vision,” the Defence statement said.
The Army said the agreement was a major step toward innovation and collaboration, setting new standards for cooperation between government research and development institutions and military educational bodies to drive technological progress.
Maj. Gen. Bajwa highlighted the Indian Army’s efforts to integrate niche technologies, emphasising the importance of the agreement in developing deployable solutions for the forward areas.
