Visvesvaraya Technological University, Karnataka’s only technological university, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Karnataka, to authorise Civil Engineering Departments of the VTU-affiliated engineering colleges to conduct quality-tests for Manufactured Sand (M-sand) produced by the licensed M-Sand crushing units in the State.
The MoU was signed by VTU Registrar H.N. Jagannatha Reddy and S.S. Pattanshetty, Commissioner, Department of Mines and Geology, at a ceremony in Bengaluru recently, according to a VTU press release issued here on Wednesday.
VTU’s acting vice-chancellor V. Sridhar said that limited supply of natural river sand had prompted the production and use of M-sand. The Department had engaged in production of M-Sand and also issued licenses to the private crushing units to minimise the demand-supply gap. But, the M-Sand should be fit for construction activities as per the standards laid down by the Indian Standard Codes (ISC). As VTU and its affiliated colleges were well-equipped to test the M-Sand as per ISC standards, the university took a step forward to lend its expertise.
As per the MoU, all the VTU-affiliated engineering colleges having civil engineering departments will be authorised to undertake testing of M-sand samples produced in the State of Karnataka, Dr. Sridhar said.
