GUWAHATI, Jan 4 � Finally, the much-awaited pilot project on weaving fabric from muga, the enviably brilliant golden Assamese silk yarn, through a mechanised process, is ready at the Amingaon Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city. It has four power looms and three supporting machines.
The pilot project was proposed on May 4, 2006 by former Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Ajai Singh, following the dedication of the country�s first patent for producing muga cloth through the mechanised process developed by the city-based mechanical engineer Dulal Chowdhury, to the people of the State.
The project is being implemented by the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)-NE of the IIT, Guwahati and it is financed by the NEDFi. Chowdhury is helping it as the patent holder innovator.
The RuTAG-NE, NEDFi and Dulal Chowdhury had signed an agreement on July 4, 2008 for investment of an amount of Rs 13,17,800 towards implementing the project and the fund was transferred in a phased manner to the RuTAG-NE.
Talking to this correspondent, Chowdhury said the project is expected to undertake research for further development of the mechanised muga weaving process. It is also to encourage entrepreneurs to go for mechanised production of muga cloth, besides helping modification of the connected power looms and their installations.
Moreover, the loom operators, the operators of the allied machines and the technicians required for the day-to-day repairs of the commercial projects will be trained at this project, Chowdhury said.
The master weavers of the project will visit the commercial projects set up in line with it from time to time to help them function smoothly. Additionally, the project will have a spare parts bank.
