Army looks to bamboo-based composites for construction of bunkers, infra in high-altitude terrian

Indian Army’s IV Corps also known as the Gajraj Corps signed an MoU with IIT Guwahati for better preparedness in high altitude areas | Representational Image of the Corps' logo | Commons

New Delhi: For better preparedness in high altitude areas, the Army is looking at using alternative construction methods including the use of material such as epoxy bamboo-based composites, for the construction of infrastructure in high-altitude terrain for field trials, where this infrastructure will be subjected to small arms fire and endure an entire weather cycle, the Army said in a press release.

To that effect, the Army’s IV Corps, also known as the Gajraj Corps, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for research, design and fabrication of these composites.

This comes as a replacement of traditional building material used in construction of bunkers in these areas. Currently, the Army uses materials such as hollow blocks, prefabricated panels, corrugated galvanized iron or steel (CGI) sheets and cement concrete.

The fabricated panels will provide the same level of protection with reduced weight. This will decrease the time and effort required for ferrying supplies, ultimately enhancing force preservation, the Army said.

Epoxy is a type of polymer used in construction. The material is known to be “long-lasting” with the ability to withstand heat. Since bamboo has an “extremely high weight-strength ratio, excellent flexibility, and a unique round structure”, this “fast-growing and abundant biomass” is being looked at as a promising alternative to traditional building material.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Major General Rohin Bawa, General Officer Commanding, Red Horns Division and Prof Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati.

The Army said in a statement that the signing of this MoU marked a significant step towards innovation and collaboration, setting new standards for cooperation between government R&D institutions and military educational bodies to drive technological progress.

It called the partnership between Gajraj Corps and IIT Guwahati “a shared commitment” in exploring new technological frontiers and addressing modern battlefield challenges.

At the ceremony, the General Officer highlighted the Army’s efforts to integrate niche technologies, emphasising the importance of the MoU in developing deployable solutions for the operational area. He highlighted the “collaborative role” of academia, industry, researchers, and start-ups in fostering a whole-of-nation approach and expressed confidence that this partnership will contribute to ground-breaking achievements and support the nation’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

(Edited by Tikli Basu)