The structures are mostly load-bearing constructed using interlocking, compressed earth blocks. These blocks due to their interlocking nature do not need mortar and stay in place solely due to their self-weight.
They are supplied by the newly set-up SAL interlocking earth brick making factory, with technical assistance from Mr. Shankar. It is run by two young entrepreneurs, Mr. Satish Pererra and Mr. Biju, who have returned from Saudi Arabian gulf, with an intention of settling down in their home town. They represent many young Keralites who have a good capital earned from their stay in the Gulf and are now looking for sound investments for their money.
This block-making unit is located at Kochiveli in Trivandrum city. The blocks are made using a hydraulic press bought from George Engineering in Thrissur at a cost of 5 lac rupees. The soil is brought from the regions surrounding Trivandrum. One truckload of soil cost 800 rupees, weighs 2.4 T and produces 250 to 300 bricks. The mix used for compressing consists of 5% cement, a proportionate quantity of sand and chemical binders added to the soil. They also sell an acrylic coating, which can be applied to the masonry work, making it resistant to weathering for almost 24 years. The machine can make bricks of varying thickness ranging from 10” to 1” and are retailed at prices from 12 rupees to 3 rupees respectively. On an average the machine can make 700 to 750 bricks in a day and pays for itself in about 2 years. Just 3 months from establishing this unit, the young entrepreneurs are now planning to setup another unit, thanks to the ever-increasing demand of such products created by the efforts of organizations such as Habitat.
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