Masons knowledge upgradation programme begins at Mickhola-Boomtar

GANGTOK, 10 Jan: The Rural Management & Development Department, in collaboration with Rural Housing Knowledge Network Project of the Ministry of Rural Development being implemented by IIT Delhi and Jaypee Cement, began a 4-day Mason Knowledge Upgradation Programme at Mickhola-Boomtar GPU under Namchi Gram Vikas Kendra today.
The training programme aims at improving the existing construction practices being followed in the construction of REDRH and CMRHM houses in the state. 12 masons are being currently trained in the programme who will then become trainers for other masons in the state. The programme involves a mix of theoretical and hands on demonstration based exercises focused on good construction practices for implementation of REDRH and CMRHM type design.
Dr. Mona Anand, Senior Scientist at IIT Delhi and SameerPethe, Sr. Engineer are representing the RHKN Project while the Jaypee Cement team of 4 Engineers is led by Shakun Vaidya, Sr. Manager, Technical Services, who will be giving the training on quality of materials and building practises.
The programme has its genesis in an earlier “Grammen Awaas: Sawaal, Jawaabevam Samvaad” community interaction conducted by RHKN in collaboration with the RMDD where the Department had expressed interest in enhancing the skills of the masons deployed in reconstruction of houses.
Introducing the workshop, ADC (Dev) Ravangla, Tashi Chophel stated that this workshop was a first of its kind where three organizations are coming together in a collaborative mode with a view to enhancing the skill base of the construction artisans in the state. Others present were Panchayats of Mikhola Boomtar GPU, BimalRai, GVA Namchi, Assistant Engineers and Jr. Engineers of Namchi and Sumbuk GVK.
In the interactive sessions, masons sought clarifications from the resource persons on common issues in construction such as seepage and cracks in different parts of the building along with clarification on such common issues, the programme covers various stages of construction starting from layout of building to final finishing of internal surfaces. Important topics such as strength of concrete, mixing and placing of concrete, relevance of curing for quality construction have been included.
After the September 2011 earthquake, under the Prime Minister’s package 7,972 houses are being reconstructed in the state. Capacity building of masons for undertaking the construction of these houses is being carried out from time to time by the Department; this collaborative masons knowledge upgradation programme, is expected to further enhance the existing skills of the masons.