ZIRO, Jun 19: In the wake of a recent video going viral on social media claiming that ordinary mountain soil are being used for construction of retaining and breast walls, culverts, drains etc. at Pamluk area under TAH Package 2 near Tajgi, Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri district Somcha Lowang accompanied by engineers and officials on Friday made an inspection visit to the site.
During inspection and quality checking, the MoRTH engineers certified that stone dust which is a by-product obtained from stone crushers has been used in places where the best quality sand is not available. According to them, stone dust has the potential to be used as a partial replacement of natural river sand in concrete construction works and its use not only improves the quality of concrete but also conserves the natural sand for future generations. Team Leader, MoRTH Sheo Balak Singa further informed that although stone dust is permitted for structural and masonry works, a few requisite tests are invariably conducted prior to allowing construction activities. "So far as durability tests are concerned, cubes casted from the stone dust have been found conforming to the specifications as laid in the Specifications of Roads and Bridges Manuals of MoRTH," he added, showing the test results and RFI of the structures.
As of now, heavy construction machineries are already plying over these culverts for more than five months carrying heavy loads successfully. While interacting with the contractors, the DC directed the sub-contractors to adhere to all quality standards. She further called for responsible journalism without any prejudice and appealed to the social media journalists to play a constructive role in the developmental process. 
It can be recalled that the All Lower Subansiri Youth Association had lodged a complaint seeking a verification of the ‘poor quality’ claim made in the social media video. Executive Engineer RWD Gambi Karbak, AE, Ziro Highway Division Hibu Tade and representatives from Puna Hinda Construction Company were part of the inspection team. DIPRO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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