CSIR - Central Road Research Institute
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Issue No. 52
MAJOR PROJECTS COMPLETED / UNDERTAKEN
Feasibility Study for Road Alignment from Sasoma to Saser Brangsa
Saser Pass, located in Karakoram Range in India, is a
high mountain pass at an elevation of more than
5,411m (17,753 ft) above the mean sea level. This is a
shortest route to reach Indo - China border through
Karakoram mountain range for mobilization of men
and materials of Indian Army in extremely challenging
conditions. During the last 40 years, Indian Army and
Border Roads Organization (BRO), through their
concerted efforts, have been able to provide
Bituminous Pavement up to Km 40.000 on this road
stretch. However, the most challenging section as this
road stretch is from Km 40.000 to Km 52.400 which
passes through glaciers, muck, avalanche creek and
scree areas. Every year, BRO makes attempts to lay the
Figure 1: Methodology Adopted for conducting for the Feasibility Study
1
October-December 2016
road in this section but the road vanishes and gets
heavily damage on due to glacier movements,
avalanches and other weather related issues soon after
its laying. In view of this, BRO approached CSIR-CRRI to
carry out the feasibility study for its road alignment.
The major objective of this study is to work out the best
possible road alignment in perennial snow fed areas
from Km 40.000 to Km 52.400 which would include
providing (a) design for sustainable road alignment
under extreme conditions, and (b) suitable remedial
measures for prevention/ control of damage due to
snow avalanche, landslides and other slope failures.
The methodology adopted for conducting the
feasibility study is presented in Figure 1.
CSIR-CRRI conducted LiDAR survey in the months
of June and July 2016. A typical view of LiDAR
survey undertaken for study area in Sasoma is shown
in Figure 2. The LiDAR survey was done to develop
Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The DEM developed
along with proposed alignment and slope lines is
shown in Figure 3. The developed DEM is useful
Figure 2. Typical View of LiDAR Survey undertaken for Study Area
in Sasoma
Establishing a Research Network in the Area of Vehicular Emission Reduction
Auto Fuel Policy-2003, based on the recommendations
of Mashelker Committee, had identified the need to
bridge the research gaps so as to align the work of
different organizations working on vehicular emission
reduction. The committee had also recommended the
creation of a research network to bring together all
organizations working on vehicular emission
reduction mandate for mutual collaboration and
alignment. However, till date, no such collaboration
could be established in the country and considerable
research gaps that hinder policy formulation continue
to exist.
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi with
support from Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation
(SSEF), under agreement no, P16 SSEF dt. 07-09-2016
envisages to take forward the recommendations of
Mashelkar Committee (2003) towards creating a
network of research organizations, institutions,
academicians and individual researchers working on
vehicular emission reduction issues. The overall aim of
this network is to initiate a dialogue among its
members to establish a common research agenda that
would be aligned with the national level policy
requirements.
The scope of this project includes:
lEstablish a research network of organizations,
institutions and individual researchers working on
various issues related to vehicular emissions
reduction.
lHold meetings/ workshops on regular basis to
identify research gaps, develop/ understand
to carryout road geometric design (proposed
horizontal and vertical alignments). The cross
sections of the proposed alignment (Km 40.000 to Km
52.400) were checked in view of the stability of
slopes along the proposed alignment. Short term and
long term measures were also suggested for the study
area.
Figure 3. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Developed along with
Proposed Alignment and Slope Lines
research methodology, issues faced in data
collection and alignment of research objectives,
etc.
lDevelop research agenda for the network that
would provide assistance to the stakeholders in
formulating guidelines and implementing
strategies.
lIdentify project proposals and explore possible
collaborations on expertise, experiences, sharing
of measurement equipment, etc.
In this regard, CSIR-CRRI conducted an workshop on
establishing a Research Network in the Area of
Vehicular Emission Reduction”EARNOVER 2016”,
which was held on Nov. 20, 2016 at CSIR-CRRI, New
Delhi.
Dr Rashheed Hasaan, Ex Advisor MOEF, Chairman
(Theme 1); Dr G K Sharma, Director CIRT (Retd.) &
Figure 4 : Vehicular Emission Reduction”EARNOVER 2016”