• Strong operational relationship and close networking with premier R&D, standardisation and academic institutions and technology promotion organisations.

• Development of technologies having potential for commercialisation and transfer for wide scale field application.

• Functions as a clearing house of innovative building materials and construction technologies particularly for environment friendly, energy efficient and waste based technologies.

• Assisting building materials enterprises in their upgradation and modernisation plans.

• Identification, evaluation and standardization of building materials and technologies. Operating Performance Appraisal Certification Scheme (PACS) to cover the new technologies.

• Forecasting technological requirements, social and environmental implications of various technologies and charting out emerging areas for further research and development.

• Capabilities for advising new entrepreneurs in technology selection prototype development and setting up of production units on commercial level.

• Mobilising intersectoral policy support like fiscal concessions, tax concessions, etc. for promoting investment and technology transfer in the area of building materials.

• Design and development of housing projects using cost effective and disaster resistant technologies.

• Recognition as a knowledge centre in the area of natural disaster mitigation and management particularly in the areas of vulnerability and risk assessment, hazard mapping, rapid damage assessment to housing stock in post disaster scenario and preparation of Technology Action Plan for repairs, reconstruction and retrofitting of housing and building stock. Prepared Vulnerability Atlas of India, which has been widely recognised nationally and internationally, particularly for evolving pro-active pre-disaster strategy including advice on Techno-Legal Regime.

• Creating international exposure for Indian Building Materials & Construction Technologies in developing countries of South-East Asian, African and Latin American regions as per their housing needs.

MILESTONES

• Working with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), BMTPC developed Indian Standards on nearly 22 proven technologies. Backed by the force of standardisation, continued persuasion and advocacy by the Council, CPWD and other public construction agencies have incorporated these new technologies in their schedules of specifications. Several State agencies in Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have also inducted new technologies in their specifications for housing schemes.

• Selected 27 types of agro-industrial wastes, by-products, residues, natural fibres, plantation timbers for use as inputs in the manufacture of building materials and today nearly 600 units were engaged in the manufacture of waste based building materials and components.

• Through Council's efforts, more than 100 importers got the benefit of custom duty and excise duty exemption and more than 600 units received fiscal incentives.

• BMTPC promoted and strengthened some of the existing ones, 106 demonstration-cum-production units for manufacturing of building materials and components. These include improving production base of 82 selected Building Centres in different parts of the country and 24 enterprises owned by private entrepreneurs, NGOs and corporate establishments.

• 22 technologies of innovative building materials were developed with its help and were licensed to private entrepreneurs for commercial production. One of the most recent one Bamboo Mat Corrugated sheets for roofing as a substitute for asbestos or iron corrugated sheets. Nowhere in the world such a component with bamboo has been developed. The technology has already been passed on for commercial production and an unit has been set up in Meghalaya by a private entrepreneur. The Council has also transferred the technology for commercial production of Finger Jointing and Shaping Machine to a Ahmedabad based entrepreneur. The entrepreneur has started fabricating the machines as per BMTPC design.

• 30 Machines for production of cost effective building components were developed/promoted and were transferred to private entrepreneurs for commercial production. More than 1000 machines of different types are already being used for commercial production of building components in the country and 135 machines have been exported to other countries.

• BMTPC brought out 75 publications, which include 21 video films, 26 priced books/manuals/directories and 28 brochures, pamphlets, booklets, etc.

• The Commemorative Volume -Building Materials in India: 50 years -brought out by the BMTPC is a unique publication giving a vivid account of the progress of building materials over five decades. The publication presents initiatives taken in areas of R&D, Standardisation, technology promotion/dissemination, diffusion and adoption at industry level. While covering emerging trends and latest developments in use of wastes, recycling technologies, performance and durability of new materials, it highlights research and development areas needed to be addressed in future. This publication was released in 1998 by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India.

• The Council has established continuing and strong linkages for development of technology with several academic institutions having good R&D groups like IITs (Kanpur, Roorkee, Chennai, Delhi), Engineering Colleges in few States and research labs working under Ministry of Environment & Forests (Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute), Deptt. of Science and Technology (Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council, and Indian Meteorological Department, Geological Survey of India), Anna University (Centre of Disaster Mitigation and Management), R. V. Engineering College (Composites Design Centre), Centre for Environment Planning & Technology, BVB College of Engineering & Technology, etc.

• Conducted 10 region-specific disaster impact rapid assessment studies.

• Prepared the Vulnerability Atlas of India (1997), which is a benchmark document to predict and assess possible disasters in various regions of the country. The Atlas is being revised in digitised format and would be available shortly.

• Introduced the Performance Appraisal Certification Scheme to appraise the new technologies for which the Council has been authorised vide Gazette Notification No.49 dated 4th December 1999.

• The Council has put up demonstration buildings in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Orissa, Jammu, Karnataka, New Delhi, Mizoram, Tripura, etc.

• To meet the needs of jawans and officers posted at the border areas, the BMTPC has put up 2 demonstration Green Houses for Indo-Tibetan Border Police at Leh. These green house huts have been designed to provide controlled temperature conditions for growing of vegetables in these high altitude locations.

• Encouraged by cost-effective technologies, the Delhi State Industrial Development Corporation (DSIDC) is using these technologies in the construction of 3160 houses for industrial workers at Bawana. Recently, 500 housing units were handed over to the Industrial Workers

• Greater Noida Authority is also constructing 800 houses by using cost-effective technologies with technical help from BMTPC.

• On the international front, it organised exhibitions of Indian technologies and building materials at Thailand (Bangkok), Turkey (Istanbul), Trinidad & Tobago (Port of Spain, Tobago, San Fernando), Kenya (Nairobi), Uganda (Kampala), Tanzania (Dar-es-Salaam), Venezuela (Caracas), Brazil (Sao Paulo) and Bhutan (Thimpu). The Council organised several workshops under India-UNIDO programme in Italy, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Venezuela, China and India.

• An Indian Shelter Support Centre has been established at Trinidad & Tobago which was gifted by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to the host Government in February 1999.

• Under the Asian Development Bank Technical Assistance Programme for State of Uttaranchal, the Council rendered consultancy in the area of vulnerability and risk reduction as part of long-term disaster mitigation strategy. The professional inputs were provided to Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre, Bangkok who are working as the main consultants for the ADB Project.

• Bilateral cooperation agreement/protocols has been signed with United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Trinidad & Tobago and Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation.

• In so far as inter-ministerial work is concerned, BMTPC worked closely with the Planning Commission, Departments of Science and Technology, Power, Revenue, Ministries of Environment & Forests, Rural Development, Urban Development, Home Affairs, Agriculture and the Small Scale Industries.

• The Council, through its first Model Houses of 252 dwelling units under VAMBAY in Bangalore demonstrated proven innovative, eco friendly and cost effective building materials and technologies with a splendid success. The specifications used were R.C.C filler slab for roofing, Precast R.C.C Door Frame, Door Shutters using coir and Bamboo Composite Materials, locally available Random Rubble Stone Masonry in foundation & Plinth and load bearing masonry in solid concrete flyash blocks without compromising with functional utility and structural safety requirements. The housing project is being appreciated for its layout, quality of construction and the cost-effectiveness.

• A Model Toilet was designed and constructed for primary school boys in Indian Airlines Colony, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi using cost effective technologies. Using Rat Trap Bond Masonry in burnt clay and flyash bricks, precast ferrocement roofing channel for roofing and door shutters made of plantation timber there has been saving in cost compared to conventional construction.

• The Council organised a International Seminar and Exhibition on “Managing Low Cost & Innovative Housing Technologies”, from 22 – 27 August, 2004 in Ahmedabad, India, jointly with United Nations Industrial Development Organization-International Centre for Advancement of Manufacturing Technology (UNIDO-ICAMT), Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI).

• The Council organized a One Day Workshop “Technology Options for Cost Effective and Earthquake Resistant Construction in Housing” in collaboration with Standards and Quality Control Authority (SQCA), Ministry of Works and Human Settlement, Govt. of Bhutan. Five presentations covering cost effective materials/technologies, earthquake resistant construction, vulnerability of houses to natural hazards, performance evaluation of materials and retrofitting of buildings for safety against earthquakes were presented. It was attended by more than 100 engineers from different parts of Bhutan.

• On the invitation from Standards and Quality Control Authority (SQCA), Ministry of works & Housing Settlement, Royal Govt. of Bhutan, the Council prepared feasibility study for establishment of Technology Demonstration-cum-Production Centre in Bhutan and submitted to SQCA for further action.

• The Council organised a State Level Painting Competition in MCD Schools on the theme saving environment, cleanliness, conservation of water and general awareness for celebrating the World Habitat Day - 2005. 24 MCD schools participated in the competition. The Council received a large number of paintings prepared by school children of MCD Schools. The best paintings were awarded cash prize and certificates during the celebration of World Habitat Day on 3rd October, 2005.

• Organised 22 Training Programmes on various themes. More than 422 participants representing Govt. Organizations, PSUs & Private Industry took part in these training programmes.

• An International Expert Group Meeting on “Appropriate Technologies for Sustainable Buildings in Developing Countries” was organized in cooperation with UNIDO’s International Centre for Science & High Technology (ICS), Trieste, Italy and International Centre for Advancement of Manufacturing Technology (ICAMT), India at Bangalore during 07-09 November, 2005. The event was attended by seven International participants from six countries namely; Italy, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal and 30 national participants from all over the country as well as 10 local participants from Bangalore.

• A Training program on “Field Level Application of Innovative Technologies “, for petty contractors, masons and workers was organized in Jaipur from 23-25 February, 2006. The training programme was supported by ICAMT-UNIDO. 30 participants attended the programme and benefited the most.

• Based on the persistent efforts of the Council, the Visveswaraya Technological University at Belgaum, Karnataka has introduced “Alternative Building Materials and Technologies for 7th Semester of Civil Engineering as an elective subject. This will pave-way for intensifying efforts at the national level with AICTE and other institutions for recognition of alternative building materials and technologies as a regular subject. The course will also help in developing required technological manpower for the alternative building materials industry and text books will become available by practioners in the field.

• Considering the need for developing alternate environment-friendly and cost-effective roofing materials based on local resources in North-Eastern region and other earthquake prone and hilly regions, the BMTPC and the IPIRTI, have jointly developed a technology for manufacturing of Bamboo Mat Corrugated Sheets (BMCS). The Council has transferred this technology to a private entrepreneur in Meghalaya for commercial production and marketing.

POLICY SUPPORTS FACILITATED:
 

Relating to saving of forest wood

• Banning the use of wood in works of CPWD -by the then Ministry of Urban Development (1994)

• Excise duty concessions/exemptions on wood substitute, building materials/components in successive Union Budgets since 1992-93.

Relating to saving of fertile agricultural soil

• Gazette Notification by Ministry of Environment & Forests banning production of burnt clay bricks within 100 km radius of any thermal power plant generating Flyash.

• Excise duty exemption on all products using Flyash and phosphogypsum resulted in widely scattered production of flay ash and gypsum based bricks/blocks thereby replacing burnt clay bricks.

• Recent order issued by Govt. of Delhi to use in all buildings (upto 2 storeys) and boundary walls only Flyash bricks.

• Order issued by Andhra Pradesh Government to use Flyash bricks/blocks in all public housing schemes.

Relating to Energy Savings/Conservation

• Following notifications by Ministry of Environment & Forests pertaining to reduction of emissions and energy efficiency of brick kilns:

• Gazette Notification No.14 of April 13, 1996

• Gazette Notification No.488 of Octgober 5, 1993

• Recognising Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Development of Energy Conservation Building Codes as the thrust areas of recently formulated Action Plan by Ministry of Power emanating from Energy Conservation Act 2001.

• The Concil has provideed its opinion to world Bank about quality, suitability for application and enviorment friendlines of three products/ technologies namely Fly Ash Lime Gypsum(FAl-G) Bricks, Vertical shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK) Techonology & Gypcrete panels for their eligility for Carbon Credit under Clean Development Project (CDM).

Fiscal incentives to boost entrepreneurial activity and attract investment for production of innovative building materials based on agro-industrial wastes

• Based on the recommendations of the Council, number of proven building materials (Cement Bonded Particle Boards, Jute Particle Board, Rice Husk Board, Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum Board, Sisal Fibre Board, Bagasse Board, Resin Bonded Bamboo Mats, Resin Bonded Bamboo Corrugated Roofing Sheets, Flyash/Phosphogypsum/Red Mud bricks/blocks, Mosaic Tiles, Light Weight (Solid or Hollow) Concrete Building Block, Prefabricated Building Materials, Sand Lime Bricks, Roofing Tiles, Burnt Clay Tiles, Prefabricated Buildings, Ready Mix Concrete) have been provided concession/exemption for levy of excise duty in successive Union Budgets.

• All components produced by Building Centres are also exempted from levy of excise duty. 

• Custom duty concessions/exemptions have also been mobilised for various machines/plant/equipment required for production of Flyash and phosphogypsum based materials and few materials (to save forest wood, cement, etc.).

• Few States have also given Sales Tax and Octroi concessions for promoting alternate materials and their production.

Mobilising executive decisions to promote innovative technology

• Few housing and building organisations to use only newly developed (fibre based) door shutters in their projects.

• Some agencies have decided to use only RMC (Ready Mixed Concrete) in their special types of works. This has resulted in saving of cement, enhancing use of Flyash and improving quality of concrete. 

• Many private sector construction agencies have been convinced to make use of prefab components and Flyash based concrete components in their projects.

Establishing Techno-Legal Regimes to promote concepts of safety against natural disasters like earthquakes/cyclones

CONSTRUCTION OF DEMONSTRATION HOUSES UNDER VAMBAY

• BMTPC undertook a Demonstration Housing Project under VAMBAY at Laggere, Bangalore for construction of 125 dwelling units with the funding from Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation and another 127 dwelling units with the funding from Karnataka Slum Clearance Board. This project was completed in November 2004.

• The Council is executing construction of demonstration houses using cost effective technologies under VAMBAY scheme in the States of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Trichy (Tamil Nadu), Koddalu (Karnataka), Dehradun (Uttranchal).

ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL IN THE NORTH–EAST REGION

The Council is actively involved in developing bamboo based technologies and is currently working under the umbrella of the National Mission on Bamboo Applications, to promote these in the North-Eastern Region by encouraging commercial production of bamboo based products. The Council is undertaking following activities in the North-Eastern Region:

• A sandwitched panel system for structural floors using bamboo corrugated roofing sheets has also been developed where houses with more than one storey can be constructed by using bamboo floors.

• BMTPC is putting up demonstration buildings using cost effective building technologies in Mizoram and Tripura with bamboo based technologies and to propagate disaster resistant cost effective construction technologies to deal with the problems of high seismicity in these States. So far the Council has completed 9 demonstration structures Mizoram and 5 structure in Tripura.

• The Council is setting up Technology Demonstration cum Production Centre at Tripura in collaboration with the State Government. Evaluation of Both technical and financial bid of the tender for the execution of civil work of Technology Demonstration cum production centre at Tripura is under process.

• Technology Guidelines have been developed for safety of buildings and settlements coming up on hilly slopes. These will be published for wider dissemination amongst related professionals.

The Council is establishing eight Bamboo Mat Production Centres in the States of Assam, Tripura, Mizoram and Meghalaya (2 Nos. in each State). In the first phase, 4 Bamboo Mat Production Centres (BMPC) are being established at Sairang, Aizawl, Mizoram; Balpui, Mizoram; Sokhar Nongtluh village, Umden, Meghalaya; and Kowaifung, Tripura. The main objectives of these Centres are to produce quality bamboo mats, imparting training in mat production processes and to create employment opportunities in the North Eastern Region. It is estimated that each Centre will generate eployment for 45000 women/men days per annum. In Mizoram after completion of basic structures, set of Bamboo processing machines have been dispatched to both the proposed Bamboo mat demonstration cum production centres at Sairang and Bualpuri of Mizoram state for installation.

RECENT AND ONGOING IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES