We have gathered together to discuss on two important areas of waste utilization - namely the one on Fly Ash coming from thermal power station and the other Rice Husk Ash primarily coming out of agricultural waste product namely rice husk. India produces over 100 million tonnes of fly ash from thermal power stations. India has also to its credit cultivation of over 100 million tonnes of paddy which gives 20 million tonnes of rice husk annually. I am happy that the event is organized to positively convert the inherent strength of these agricultural and industrial waste material to value added products using technology, enterprise and business transformation process. This is the month of the Engineer's Day celebrations done on the occasion commemorating birth of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya who had all his life harnessed all the natural resources with value addition in building of India. Most of the prestigious structures built by him had used lime and other local materials which are still standing testimony for strength and durability. This is the new design philosophy for all emerging materials and products.

Fly ash is one of the voluminous industrial byproducts in India with an output of over 100 million tpa. Andhra Pradesh is among the largest generating States, covering about 10% of national output. With regard to utilization as against the national average of 15-20%, there is a consumption of over 35% of fly ash in the state of AP.

It is heartening to note that Institute for Solid Waste Research & Ecological Balance (INSWAREB) is spearheading the cause for national and global welfare. It is also interesting to learn that the FaL-G technology, developed by this institute, has been catalysing for the promotion of fly ash brick plants through out the country. I am aware of the historical development of the FaL-G technology and also receiving the full support of HUDCO in 90's including the prestigious research & development and application based building centre at Visakhapatnam to promote increased Fly Ash based technology in the country. I am therefore glad that over 1200 plants are working at national level creating employment to over 18000 workers. In this context the ambitious target to catalyse the installation of 50,000 plants in this decade is noteworthy that would provide the employment to over 7.5 lakh people.

Such initiatives contribute to environment protection, energy saving, employment generation and economic development. It is our responsibility to protect such avenue of activity that has alround service to the Nation and humanity. A.P. Government has realized the potential of mass scale utilisation of fly ash in brick and cement units and committed for its promotion by a decision taken at the 17th State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) meeting held in May 1998. In order to buttress this decision, various departments have issued GOs. Crucial among them is the Government Order brought out in July 98 that has given directions to phase out Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with blended cements. For this purpose a five year time frame was given targeting to replace OPC progressively with blended cements. Though some progress has been achieved, it was only a beginning for a daunting transformation process. AP gave a lead for the country. A.P. Government has constituted a Task Force in September 2002, a year back, seeking recommendations for effective implementation of these G.Os. One of the issues that the Task Force identified is that the Departmental Engineers should be imparted with sufficient technical knowledge and data about blended cements and advanced concrete technology, so that they could switch over to new materials with confidence.

This is where the seminars and workshops of this nature can make a significant dent.

While the developed world has switched over to blended cements a couple of decades back, India is still harping on high grade OPC ignoring the quality and long term durability issues. Considerable data is reportedly developed on microstructure studies to substantiate the durability criteria of blended cement concrete over that of OPC concrete. I hope the departmental engineers take best advantage of this knowledge in order to dispel their doubts so that they could switch over to blended cements with established credibility and also due confidence and conviction.

Further India generates over 100 million tonnes of paddy that gives 20 million tonnes of rice husk annually. Even at 50% tapping of this potential can help in increasing the installed capacity by 1200 MW. It is learnt that rice husk gives highly reactive ash when burnt in controlled conditions. Considerable research appears to have taken place in developed world to avail the super-pozzolanic characteristics of rice husk ash towards concrete durability. When the market potential for the rice husk ash could be realized to the full potential, it is projected that rice husk ash would prove as the main product by virtue of revenue realization and power proves as byproduct. This is a classic case of the refuse becoming a major resource. It is an opportunity for departmental engineers to get exposed to new materials such as rice husk ash and its crucial role in enhancing concrete durability.

The FaL-G technology was developed about 15 years back. Though RCC structures were constructed such as FaL-G Mansion, its role has been confined majorly to brick and block. Meanwhile, INSWAREB progressed with various studies to prove the efficacy of the product for structural application. According to their stand, FaL-G is nothing but a formulation to practice high volume fly ash concrete (HVFC) technology in gypsum route, replacing as high as 65 to 70% cement (OPC) with fly ash. To promote HVFC technology in India, the Canadian government has launched a program for which, incidentally, INSWAREB is working as project coordinators.

It is noted that the Superintending Engineer of Rural Water Scheme (RWS), Panchayat Raj Department in Krishna District, has started using FaL-G concrete for RCC applications. Check dams, ground water filters and tanks were constructed. Today even Over Head Reservoirs of the capacity as high as 2.50 lakh litres are reported to be executed.

Enthused by the success, the department has conceived a scheme to construct 4000 houses for urban poor under the Prime Minister's VAMBAY (Valmiki Ambedkar Aawas Yojana) program at Vijayawada, using FaL-G concrete right from pile foundation to slab and beams. Fly Ash Building Materials Manufacturers Association (FABMAS) has come forward to undertake the construction through its members under the technical guidance of INSWAREB. I am glad the work is in progress. I am told that there could be a savings of about 50% in cement cost with enhanced durability at least by two fold. With all these happenings it is high time to enlighten concerned people about the emerging trends of these new technologies.

Carbon credits are the emerging economic tool to improve the prospects of energy efficient technologies. Use of byproducts such as fly ash in brick or cement facilitates to minimize energy and thus qualify to earn carbon credits. I am happy to learn from Shri Kalidas that INSWAREB could tie up with World Bank to offer 3.85 lakh tonnes of carbon credits every year from 200 notified entrepreneurs of FABMAS producing over 1.2 billion bricks per year. The baseline is that FaL-G brick does not use any energy and thus does not emit green house gases in contrast to profuse emissions out of clay brick kilns. I was myself surprised to learn that 1 million clay burnt bricks produce 270 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The contribution of the 200 fly based brick units would bring in about $ 1 million revenue for carbon credit every year. This has a potential to be increased to $ 1 billion revenue - a 1000 times multiplier potential leading to over Rs 4500 crores revenue annually only on carbon credits contribution.

With all this background, this workshop is organized by INSWAREB and FABMAS with their internal funds. The Government departments have been requested to send their engineering personnel for whom no delegate fee is charged. This is a commendable gesture on the part of organizers. The landscape of the country can be changed towards positive direction when and only when the closed mindscape of the stake holders also open up positively to receive and provide space for innovations. All these efforts are towards changing the mindset and orient the engineers towards adopting modern, innovative and yet proven material practices, technologies and techniques conducive to Sustainable Development. This is also one of the prime agenda concerns of Vision 2020, seriously pursued by our AP state.

I hope the workshop would lead to fruitful deliberations with various case studies and best practices and would lead to quantum jump in fly ash and rice husk ash based applications in the building and construction industry.

I wish all the success to the deliberations and I am glad to inaugurate the two day workshop.