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Twin-pit Sanitary System :
In consideration of the pecuniary condition of the common people, technological
analysis, socio-economic spectra, water supply systems, maintenance of healthy environment
and under the perspectives of all other financial, social and physical infrastructure,
twin-pit sanitary system is quite useful for Bangladesh. Research and Development
Wing of LGED has extended this applied technology at low costs. In this system,
there are two shallow pits to contain wastes and water coming from the latrine.
Only one pit is used at a time. When the pit becomes entirely filled with wastes,
the second pit is then opened to be used. Construction of safety tanks in
Bangladesh is not in tune with the financial capacities of common people. In twin-pit
sewerage system, soil pipe connection is made from the latrine’s pan to a
specific connecting point. From that point, two branches of soil pipelines
connect two waste containers.
Low-cost Sustainable Model Houses :
Housing is an outstanding basic need of mankind. The poverty stricken common people
of Bangladesh build their homes by forest-grown building materials like bamboo,
wood, straw, jute-stalks, jute-ropes, etc. Such houses are never sustainable. They
just crumble down by cyclones or similar other natural calamities. But with
the increase in population, people are confronted with utter difficulties in procuring
building materials, in building houses and maintenance.
Research & Development Unit of LGED has evolved three types of model
houses to overcome the aforesaid bottlenecks faced by the poor people
in the construction of houses. In the newly designed houses, very limited quantity
of rod, cement, brick and sand are used. As a result, these houses are quite economic,
but long-lasting and strong.
Inter-Locking Bricks :
Bricks, generally, are of uniform size and measure. Such bricks when
used in the construction of roads are liable to be removed easily. Moreover, the
capacity to bear loads by these bricks is lesser and as such those have limitations
when used in constructing roads. Interlocking bricks are made of cement and brick-chips
mixed together and they are of different geometric shapes. These bricks are much
larger in size in comparison to normal bricks. So, the number of joints tends
to be lesser in construction works with these bricks. Interlocking bricks, produced
on trial basis under Project-4, have been used in constructing internal roads in
rural markets.
Buried Pipe Irrigation:
Generally, surface drains are used for irrigation purpose. Such surface drains
are made with brick lining or concrete lining or just ordinary earthen drains. The
first two systems are not economic, while the third one is required to be maintained
every year during irrigation time. In these systems, much water is wasted (due to
evaporation/percolation). Buried Pipe Irrigation System is economic and it does
not require annual maintenance. In this system, total use of the command area of
deep tube well irrigation is possible which is unthinkable in surface irrigation.
Six schemes of Buried Pipe Irrigation were taken up on trial basis in Faridpur,
Madaripur and Kurigram districts and those have been accomplished. These schemes
are being run by Farmers’ Cooperative Association and the farmers are getting
considerable benefits from this system
Low-Cost Concrete Road Roller :
LGED has been employing talent and skill in the innovation of low-cost and appropriate
technology in rural infrastructure development. Compaction of soil is very important
for rural road construction. Rapid development upto the mark is not feasible with
expensive technology in a poor country. So, LGED constructed low-cost concrete road
rollers with their own technical know-how. Construction of a concrete roller, weighing
6 to 8 tons, costs Taka 35 thousand to Taka 45 thousand only. A layer of soil
measuring 9 inches in thickness, if undergoes compaction for 16 times by this roller,
comes down to 6 inches. In the process, soil gets compaction upto 98%.
Besides, this roller is being used in the compaction of bituminous carpeting.
Low-cost LGED concrete Road Rollers have been proved cost-effective and facilitating
its easy application in stabilizing and strengthening the country’s extensive
rural infrastructures.
The technology of carrying rollers quickly to work sites by the trailer
has been developed by LGED in Comilla. No manpower is required to drag the roller
on the trailer and to unload it from the trailer. These trailers cost almost half
the cost of those imported from abroad. The trailer can carry large and medium size
rollers.
Fibre Concrete Roof-Tiles:
Various companies and NGOs are currently marketing clay tiles, PVC tiles, ferro-cement
tiles as alternatives to CI roofs. These roofing materials are being hindered to
be popular because of their costs and sustainability. The trial production of fibre
concrete roof tiles and its uses were implemented in Faridpur district as a part
of appropriate and cost reducing technology development under Rural Development
Project-4. In this technology, jute is used as the fibre. Production under
this technology is feasible fully by providing training to ordinary labourers. Fibre
concrete roof-tiles are considered to be quite effective in the construction of
shades at rural markets and bazaars.
Community Participation in Infrastructure Development:
Infrastructure development activities of LGED are planned and implemented through
community participation process. Implementation of project activities is done with
involvement of the private sector. Small and medium contractors take part in construction
activities of LGED. In addition, the Local Government Institutions (LGIs) at various
levels are also involved in the implementation of LGED project. Moreover, NGOs are
involved to assist LGED in social mobilization aspects for planning and implementation
of schemes. As a part of participatory devel-opment, beneficiary groups and user
committees, such as, Labour Contracting Society (LCS), Market Management Committee
(MMC), Ghat Management Committee (GMC), Road User’s Committee (RUC), Water
Management Cooperative Association (WMCA) etc. have been formed under various projects
of LGED. Involvement of the private sector, Local Government Institutions, NGO and
beneficiary groups have significantly contributed to smooth planning, implementation
and operation/ maintenance of infrastructure development schemes of LGED at the
local level.
Briquette as Fuel:
Briquette is a good substitute for firewood as fuel. Briquettes can be used as
fuel for bituminous carpeting works to curb huge wastage of firewood. One briquette
factory has been established under Rural Development Project-14. Briquettes are
produced from the husks of paddy in ordinary factories. Briquettes are being used
in road development by bituminous carpeting. Fuel cost has been reduced by 20-25%
by using briquettes instead of firewood. Large scale use of briquettes will resist
deforestation to a great extent.
Briquette is being used in bitumen heating
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