CENTRE FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

TEZPUR UNIVERSITY
TEZPUR, ASSAM

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF

THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF PG DIPLOMA IN
ENVIRONMENTAL AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Project Title:

Application of GIS and Environmental Eco-friendly

Material (JGT) in River Bank Protection of a part of
Bhagirathi – A Flood Crisis Management, Nadia,
West Bengal, India

By
SOMNATH KHANRA
Enrolment No –CODL18DEM2011
Course Code: DEM204

Under the Academic Guidance of

Dr. Dipak Nath, Tezpur University

Centre for Disaster Management

SESSION: SPRING SEMESTER, 2019

 CENTRE FOR OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING
TEZPUR UNIVERSITY
TEZPUR, ASSAM

CERTIFICATE

The undersigned certify that SOMNATH KHANRA of Enrolment No-

CODL18DEM2011 is registered for the Post Graduate Diploma in
Environmental and Disaster Management Programme in Centre for open and
distance learning under my supervision.
I hereby recommended that the Dissertation entitled “Application of GIS and
Environmental Eco-friendly Material (JGT) in River Bank Protection of a
part of Bhagirathi – A Flood Crisis Management, Nadia, West Bengal,
India” be accepted as the partial fulfilment of the requirements for evaluation
and award of the Post Graduate Diploma.

Dr. Dipak Nath

Head, Centre for Disaster Management
Tezpur University, Tezpur
Tezpur- 784 028, Assam

iii
 DECLARATION

I SOMNATH KHANRA, hereby declare that the dissertation entitled

“Application of GIS and Environmental Eco-friendly Material (JGT) in River
Bank Protection of a part of Bhagirathi – A Flood Crisis Management,
Nadia, West Bengal, India” is submitted to Centre for Open and Distance
Learning, Tezpur University for acceptance to award the degree of Post
Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Disaster Management. I further
certify that this work prepared by me is original and has not been submitted to
any other institution for award of any other degree.

Date: 26.06.2019 ...........................................

Place: Tezpur, Assam (SOMNATH KHANRA)
Enrolment No. – CODL18DEM2011

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr. Dipak Nath, Head (i/c),Centre
for Disaster Management, Tezpur University for the excellent guidance,
constant encouragement and support during the course of my project in the last
six months. I truly appreciate and value their esteemed guidance and
encouragement from the beginning to the end of this Dissertation. My sincere
thanks to Er.TapobrataSanyal, Ex. Chief Hydraulic Engineer, KoPTand Shri
Pradip Choudhury, Principal Technologist, National Jute Board, Ministry of
Textiles, GOI,for extending necessary help as when requested, and also for
providing facilities during the course of this work. Thanks are also due to Mr.
Pranoy Kumar Dey, SDO, I & W Department Govt. of W.B, for his active
support. I am thankful to all faculty members and staffs of CODL,Tezpur
University and all the staffs of Simplex Infrastructures Ltd. for their cooperation
and help. Last, but not the least, I thank Almighty God, my loving parents,
family member and my friends for their consistent encouragement, moral
support and inspiration during the study period.

Place-Tezpur,Assam Somnath Khanra

Date : 26.06.2019 Enrolment no-CODL18DEM2011

v
 ABSTRACT

The riverbank erosion is one of the fluvial-geomorphologic and dynamic processes of any
alluvial river with profound and continuous negative impact on river environment and its
floodplain. River bank erosion causes enduring damage to land and infrastructures, thereby
resulting disruption in normal pattern of lives of vulnerable communities.Lateral channel
movement indicates the change of position of a river in response to fluid flow fluctuations
and sediment discharge causing stream or channel wall erosion under turbulent flow
conditions. The characteristics of bank-line erosion of any river may change with time and
space. The lateral expansion of rivers may also attract change in the river flow due to the
aggrading and degrading tendency of the river.Efficacy of geotextiles as soil improving agent
stands established. Man-made geotextiles, commonly known as synthetic geotextiles have the
advantage of long effective life and not suitable with the environment and aesthetic in
contrast to natural geotextiles such as Jute Geotextiles (JGT) which has far shorter longevity
and environmental Eco-friendly. The synthetic geotextile has a bad influence on the
vegetation growth and habitat for species that are living around water. In recent days, space-
borne RS and GIS tools are extensively used to study spatio-temporal characteristic of bank-
line shifting of different rivers due to extensive soil erosion. River Bhagirathi is an
economically and environmentally exigent river for West Bengal.Incessant bank-line erosion
of the river has been enhancing disaster risk of the vulnerable communities day by day. In
this study, an attempt has been made to diagnose the driving forces behind bank-line erosion
of Bhagirathi river and recommend some effective and affordable environment friendly
structural measures for protection of bank-line erosion.

vi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page No.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 General 1
1.2 Problem Description 2
1.3 Objectives 3

2. LITERATURE REVIEW 4--5

3. STUDY AREA & DATA AVAILIBILITY

3.1 About Bhagirathi river 6
3.2 Study Area 6--9
3.3 Data Availability/Used 9
3.3.1 Hydrological Data 9
3.3.2 River bank Soil 10
3.3.3 Test Data of Geotextiles Used 10--11
3.3.4 Satellite Images Used 12

4. METHODOLOGY
4.1 Construction of Proposed Protection Work 13
4.2 Installation Procedure of JGT 13--14
4.3 Monitoring Work 15
4.3.1 Soil Sample collection 15
4.3.2 River Bankline Shifting Study 15

5. RESULT & DISCUSSION

5.1 Laboratory Test Result 16
5.2 Bankline Migration Analysis 16--17
5.3 Discussion 18

6. CONCLUSIONS
6.1 Conclusion 19
6.2 Feature Scope of Work & Suggestion 19

7. PHOTOGRAPH OF MONITORING WORK 20

8. REFERENCES 21--22

vii
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page
Title of the Figures
No. No.

1.1 Change of Main flow line of Bhagirathi at study area 2

3.1 Location of the study area 7

3.2 Bed profile at 0.00 Mtr.; Barabazar burning ghat 7

3.3 Bed profile at a distance of 500 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat 8

3.4 Bed profile at a distance of 1000 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat 8

3.5 Bed profile at a distance of 1500 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat 8

3.6 River bank failure (erosion) 9

3.7 Bitumen Treated JGT 11

3.8 Additive Treated JGT 11

4.1 Cross section of Protection work 14

4.2 JGT laying and anchoring 14

4.3 Soil Test at Laboratory 15

4.4 Soil Sample collection 15

5.1 FM of Bank soil of BH-1 16

5.2 FM of Bank soil of BH-2 16

5.3 Bankline shifting, 1980 to 2013 17

5.4 Bankline shifting, 2013 to 2015 17

1
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page
Title of the Tables
No. No.

3.1 Hydraulic features of the river 9

3.2 Grain size of Bank Soil 10

3.3 Properties of Geotextiles used 11

3.4 Satellite data used 12

5.1 Fineness Modulus of Bank soil 16

2
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1GENERAL

Riverbank erosion is the single most common problem at a river which is flow on
alluvial plain although the plain usually at lowland area. The erosion causes a lot of damage.
That can be seen from the existence of meandering symptom at the river. The erosion will
result in the loss of land, or property and endanger people who are live near the river.
Geotextile plays a significant part in river bank erosion control. Man-made geotextiles—
commonly known as synthetic geotextiles—have the advantage of long effective life and not
compatible with the environment and aesthetic in contrast to natural geotextiles such as Jute
Geotextiles (JGT) which has far shorter durability and environmental Eco-friendly. JGT
when treated with eco-friendly life-enhancing additives to ensure its durability for up to three
years, bank soil starts consolidating within that period. In fact, all geotextiles act as a change
agent to soil and trigger the process of soil consolidation within a short initial period which in
case of river bank could be at most two seasons in unidirectional rivers usually.
Recently a work of river bank erosion control with JGT was taken up in river
Bhagirathi in Nadia district of West Bengal under an international project (CFC/IJSG/21)
funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), a financial unit of the UN. The basic
objective of this study is the development and application of Jute Geotextiles to end users in
river bank erosion control. The various engineering requirements particularly the
hydrological data for the design of river bank protection work evaluated in this study. The
river morphological (bank line stability) and soil grain size analysis etc. have been carried out
for this study. A comprehensive study on a case study requires a huge amount of hydrological
and field-based survey data that are generally unavailable and time-consuming process. The
Physical data collection is a further very difficult job due to inhospitable, cost, harsh weather
condition and security issue. Recent advancement of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic
Information System (GIS) are proving a valuable tool in such circumstances. The historical
and temporal satellite images are analyzed for river bank line stability.

3
1.2 PROBLEM DESCRIPTION

During the monsoon, the Bhagirathi cannot carry huge upstream discharge and floods
the countryside. Such floods are a common feature of the district of Nadia. The alluvial
nature of the soil causes the river to change its course frequently. Last 1980 to 2013, the main
flow of river Bhagirathi has shifted largely, refer figure -1.1 Large tracts of agriculture and
homestead land are lost every year due to erosion.The flat slope and alluvial nature of the soil
have given rise to a braiding tendency to the river. During lean discharge the river braids in
different small channels. Over the years some of these channels are abandoned while new
channels are developed. Due to this aggrading and degrading tendency of the river that most
river-related problems arise in the district. Erosion is a major problem of the district. While
large tracts of land are washed away every year on one side, bars develop on the opposite
side. Loss of valuable agricultural land of the poor people gives rise to increasing economic
hardship for them. Consequently, there is a huge demand for protection of the population and
properly which have been adversely affected by the erosive action of the river.

Main flow line, 2013

Main flow line, 1980

Figure - 1.1: Change of Main flow line of Bhagirathi at the study area
(Source: Study conducted by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2013)

4
1.3 OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this study is the application of natural Eco-friendly &
potentially importance Jute geotextiles in river bank protection work and suitability of its
mechanical and engineering parameters; also evaluation of river bank line migration
analysisto check the river bank stability of the Bhagirathi. The objective is achieved through
an integrated study approach having the following components:

a) Soil investigation of river bank soil.

b) River bed profile study.
c) Hydraulic features of the river.
d) Construction of river bank protection work.

5
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW

The original works of different researchers, pertaining to this case study, have been
reviewed to get an idea about parameters to be studied and methodology to conduct this
work.

Das et al. (2014) used remote sensing and GIS technology to know the actual bank shifting
along the Manu River in Bangladesh for a period of thirteen years (1997-2010). Using
Landsat Satellite images the channel formation of the Manu River has been mapped. The
analysis of the images shows that the Manu River is highly meandering with several critical
locations suffering from shifting characteristics and erosion problem. The maximum left bank
and right bank shifting had occurred at Rajnagar and Moulavibazar of 656 m and 628 m
respectively. The result of this study suggests for Design and execution of erosion control
scheme.

Sanyal et al. (2015) carried out a case study on river Fulahar and Jagadal in West Bengal by
using Jute Geotextiles for river bank protection and also applied RS and GIS for river bank
line migration analysis.

Sharma.D.K (2014) discussed the bank erosion process and measures bank erosion with
riprap technique.

Das et al. (2014)evaluated and detect the changes of river bank line of Bhagirathi-Hugli
using digitization and extracted byusing Arc GIS 10 software. After that, they worked out the
shifting length, shifting direction etc.

Sanyal, T & Chakraborty, K (1993)carried out a study by application of Jute Mattress in

the bank protection work in the Hugli Estuary.

Manjusree et al. (2013) have been used for mapping of the shift in the river bank lines along
the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

6
Nath et al. (2013) use the GIS and RS technology to study the trend of river bank erosion in
Megnariver at Chandpur district. Landsat Satellite image from 1980 to 1990 and Google earth
images from 2002 to 2010 to study the historical change of left bank alignment of the river
course. Analysis has been shown that during 1990-2010 decade erosion rate was higher than
the other two decades. Recent interpretation of result shows that deposition is higher than
erosion.

7
 CHAPTER 3
STUDY AREA & DATA AVAILABILITY

3.1 ABOUT RIVER BHAGIRATHI

River Bhagirathi is the main river of the state of West Bengal. It flows along the
western border of the Nadia district. It carries the whole of the discharge coming down from
the upper reaches of the Ganga right from the Himalayas, and all of the state of Uttar Pradesh
and Bihar.Farakka Barrage diverts water from river Ganga into Bhagirathi through a channel
known as Feeder canal near Tildanga town of Murshidabaddistrict in order to ensure
minimum flow in Bhagirathi, especially during the dry season. This canal flowing parallel to
Ganga passes Dhulian and endsjust above Jangipur where Bhagirathi takes its own course.
Two right banktributaries namely Pagla and Bansloi outfall into the Feeder canal beforeit
turns into actual Bhagirathi. It has been renamed as river Hooghly asit passes on the eastern
side of Hooghly district until it outfalls intothe Bay of Bengal near Sagar island.During its
entire course from origin to outfall, Bhagirathi has formedboundaries between the districts of
Burdwan& Nadia, Hooghly & North 24-Parganas, Howrah & Kolkata, PurbaMedinipur&
South 24-Parganas. RiverAjay, Mayurakshi, Damodar (Amta Channel), Rupnarayan and
Haldi are themajor tributaries on its right bank while river Jalangi and Churni are themajor
tributaries on its left bank. Some other minor tributaries on itsright bank are Khari, Behula,
Ghea and Rasulpur. Moreover, there are so manysmall drainage channels and Canals which
directly outfall into this riverfrom both banks thus forming local catchment areas of 5, 452
sq. km.The Tolly'sNullah or the Adi Ganga, as it is sometimes called is a smallbut important
tidal creek draining into the river Hooghly from the left inthe vicinity of the city of Kolkata.

3.2 STUDY AREA

The study area has been drawn on the left bank of river Bhagirathi starting from
Barobazar Burning Ghat (23o13’20”N, 88o26’18.3”E) to Steamerghat under Santipur
Municipality and at Gobachar (32o13’13.47”N, 88o27’25”E) in Block-Santipur of Nadia
District of West Bengal for a length of 2200 Metres, shown in figure.-3.1.The study area lies
very near to the tropic of Cancer, so the climate here is mostly hot and humid. The maximum
daily temperature during the summer season may rise to a high of 42oC while the minimum

8
temperature during winter comes down to around 10oC. The area receives rainfall of around
1450 mm annually.
Barobazarghat is very busy unloading and loading points of country goods. High
flood level (HFL) of river Bhagirathi at this stretch is higher than the average bank level.
Hence, during the passing of maximum discharge both bank of the river spills over. A deep
channel at this stretch is hugging towards the left bank causing severe erosion to the left bank
(figure -3.2 to figure-3.5). Slab failure with vertical or nearly vertical banks is found to be a
common occurrence at these places, refer figure- 3.6. Local enquiry and field level data show
that bank erosion has resulted in a loss of private land due to the advance of the river bank
after erosion. Rate of erosion of the bank is estimated to be about 20Mtr. per year which
reaches to a great degree depending on the severity of the flood discharge during monsoon.
The observed depth of scouring is found to be 9.635mtr.

Study area on the left bank of

Bhagirathi about 2200 mtr.

Figure - 3.1: Location of the study area

(Source: Prepared by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2013)

River bed profile at different chainage between Barabazar burning and Steamer ghat

-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Cross -section at 0.00M.

Figure -3.2: Bed profile at 0.00 Mtr.;Barabazar burning ghat

(Source: Data collected from Scheme book of Irrigation & Waterways deptt.,Nadia Irrigation
Division, West Bengal during the year of 2013)

9
 -50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Cross - section at 500 M.

Figure – 3.3: Bed profile at a distance of 500 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat
(Source: Data collected from Scheme book of Irrigation & Waterways deptt.,Nadia Irrigation
Division, West Bengal during the year of 2013)

-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Cross - section at 1000 M.

Figure – 3.4: Bed profile at a distance of 1000 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat
(Source: Data collected from Scheme book of Irrigation & Waterways deptt.,Nadia Irrigation
Division, West Bengal during the year of 2013)

-50 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Figure – 3.5: Bed profile at a distance of 1500 Mtr. from Barabazar burning ghat
(Source: Data collected from Scheme book of Irrigation & Waterways deptt.,Nadia Irrigation
Division, West Bengal during the year of 2013)

10
 Figure – 3.6: Riverbank failure (erosion)
(Source: Photo Collected by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2013)

3.3 DATA AVAILABILITY/USED

The followings data are available and used in the study.

3.3.1 HYDROLOGICAL DATA

The hydrological study is the most important part of the design of hydraulic structures
as well as any type of bridge design and also more necessary for the design of river bank
protection work. In this study various engineering requirements i.e. hydrological data for the
design of river bank protection work have been collected from Irrigation & Waterways
department, Nadia Irrigation Division, West Bengal given in table-3.1

Table – 3.1: Hydraulic features of the river

Hydraulic feature Value
The avg. flood slope 1 in 14000
The avg. slope at low water level 1 in 20000
HFL at Steamerghat 8.30 MGTS
LWL at Steamerghat 2.51 MGTS
Max discharge 7177 Cumec.
Lacy’s silt factor 0.7
Avg. Top level of Bank 5.75 Mtr.
Avg. velocity of water 3.0 m/sec.
Scour depth 9.635 Mtr.

11
3.3.2 RIVER BANK SOIL

The area being on an alluvial planer, the bank soil consists of silt with the very low
cohesive property. Grain size and type of river bank soil is used for the design of suitable jute
Geotextiles (JGT). Soil samples were collected to gathering information about bank soil
regarding the use of jute Geotextiles for bank protection. To determine the soil properties at
the laboratory, soil samples were collected from different borehole location by a rotary
(augur) boring.

Table- 3.2: Grain size of Bank Soil

(Source: Test carried out in the Geo-technical laboratory of Indian Institute of Engineering
Science and Technology, Shibpur by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2013)

Grain size of soil

Bore hole location
Sand Silt Clay

Bore hole-01 08% 77% 15%

Bore hole-02 9% 74% 17%

3.3.3 TEST DATA OF GEOTEXTILE USED

In finalizing the specification of JGT, two critical fabric parameters were considered
viz,tensile strength and AOS. It can be shown that the maximum tensile stress to which a
geotextileis subjected to river bank application is the order of 15 kN/meter. In the instant case
woven JGT with a minimum tensile strength of 20 kN/meter was recommended considering
its strengthdeterioration with the passage of time. After treating the fabric with additive
material, its tensilestrength and longevity got enhanced,refer figure- 3.6. The AOS of the
fabric was determined in conformity with the average grain size distributionof the bank soil
to ensure both prevention of topsoil migration and dissipation of pore waterpressure
following the basic design principle On <dn i.e. the pore size of the fabric should belarger
than the average grain size of the bank soil. In the instant case O95 was kept at 178-micron
vis-à-vis d50 of 139 microns. Filter Co-efficient in the said relation depends on the
flowsituation. If bitumen is used for treatment of JGT, it enhances durability as well as tensile
stress of the fabric, figure- 3.7. Admittedlybitumen is not the ideal additive environmentally
as well as in respect reduction in drapability ofJGT after treatment. Besides, hot bitumen

12
tends to affect the pore sizes of the fabric needinglarger pores for bituminization. The high
cost of bitumen is also a factor.

Figure – 3.7: Bitumen Treated JGT Figure – 3.8: Additive Treated JGT
(Source: Photo collected by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2013)
Additive treated jute geotextile s has been used in this work. The laboratory test result which
was conducted in Indian Jute Industries’ Research Association are given in table-3.3

Table - 3.3: Properties of Geotextile used

(Source: Data collected from National Jute Board, Kolkata)

Type of JGT
Test Bitumen Additive
Test Standard Unit Untreated
Parameter Treated Treated
(627 gsm)
(627 gsm) (627 gsm)
Mass per Unit ASTM D3776
2
627 860 638
Area gm/m
Thickness ASTM D1777 mm 1.86 2.46 2.27
AOS, O95 ASTM D4751 μm 300-600 <75 300-600
Vertical
Permeability m/sec *
2 ASTM D4491 -3 1.79 2.68 1.42
(2 kN/m ) at 10
20°C
Grab Tensile 710/745 630/840 675/550
Strength at 30°C ASTM D4632 N

Grab Tensile
ASTM D4632 % 21/61 18/22 30/32
Elongation
Wide Width
ASTM D4595 KN/m 20/17 17/23 20/18
Tensile Strength

13
3.3.4 SATELLITE IMAGES USED

Satellite data during the period of 7 Feb 1980 to 6 Feb 2014 have been used for river
bank stability analysis. Satellite data (Landsat) were downloaded from Earth Explorer web
site. The details of satellite data used in the study are as follows:

Table- 3.4: Satellite data used

(Source: Data collected from USGS Earth Explorer)

SL. NO. Satellite/sensor Date Path/Row

1. LANDSAT Feb’ 1980 141/43
2. LANDSAT Feb’ 2013 141/43
3. LANDSAT Feb’ 2015 141/43

14
 CHAPTER 4
METHODOLOGY
4. METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, methodologies to achieve various activities of the study objectives are
discussed. The detailed description of the methods applied to achieve the objective of this
study is mentioned below.

4.1 CONSTRUCTION OF PROPOSED PROTECTION WORK

Under this scheme, it is proposed to protect the existing bank by conventional boulder
pitching laid over Geo-fabric filter (JGT). Additive treated 627GSM woven JGT has laid over
a prepared river bank slope (2H:1V) and providing side lapping of 150 mm and horizontal
lapping of 250mm. The tow is proposed to be made of boulder sausage. Over the entire
stretch for achieving a stable bed profile below low water level as well as a protective
measure against bed scour it is proposed to dump nylon creates filled up with 25 Nos.
earth/sand filled polythene bag below L.W.L. A cross-section of the protective work is shown
in figure-4.1.

4.2 INSTALLATIONPROCEDURE OF JGT

The following sequence in installing JGT was followed.

a) At first bank slope was cut to make it stable at the angle of internal friction of bank
soil.
b) The surface level was made free from angular projections, undulation, soil-slurry or
mud.
c) Anchoring trench (usually rectangular) was excavated at the top of bank slope.
Recommended dimensions of the trench- 750mm deep and at least 500 mm wide at
bottom as shown in the above diagrams.
d) JGT was unrolled across the trench and along the slope from the top down to lowest
water-level.
e) JGT was stapled with bamboo peg within anchoring trench as well as along the slope
refer figure-4.2.

15
f) Care was taken to ensure JGT does not suffer damage due to puncture, tear or other
operational stresses.
g) Anchoring trench filled with boulders for protecting JGT.
h) It was ensured that JGT touches the bank slope at all points (drapability).
i) Boulders were placed softly to ensure that they do not puncture the fabric JGT.

Figure – 4.1: Cross section of Protection work

(Source: Prepared by Mr. Somnath Khanra)

Side lapping-150mm

Anchoring with 300mm Long bamboo Peg

Figure – 4.2: JGT laying and anchoring

(Source: Photo Collected by Mr. Somnath Khanra)

16
4.3 MONITORING WORK

To check the condition of the river bank as well as the nature of bank soil, constant
monitoring has been conducted in the interval of six months from 2013 to 2015.Satellite data
during the period of 1980 to 2015 have been used for river bank shifting analysis. Satellite
data (Landsat) were downloaded from Earth Explorer web.

4.3.1 SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION

Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected to gathering information about
bank soil regarding the use of jute Geotextiles for bank protection. Riverbank samples were
collected from two boreholes at different chainages, close to the toe of the bank. To
determine the fineness modulus, Hydraulic conductivity and also other soil properties at
laboratory, soil samples were collected at 300mm, 600mm and 900mm from JGT by
rotary(augur) boring refer to figure 4.3 to figure-4.4.

Figure – 4.3: Soil Test at Laboratory Figure – 4.4: Soil Sample collection
(Source: Photo Collected by Mr. Monimoy Das, National Jute Board, Kolkata)

4.3.2 RIVER BANK LINE SHIFTING STUDY

Satellite data are a reliable and easy source of information for this study. Satellite data of
different stages, i.e. pre-work and post-work situations of Bhagirathi have been analyzed to
observe the changes in the river course (bankline). UTM WGS 84 projection system has been
used in this study. Similarly, bank line profile for all years has been drawn using satellite
images of different year.

17
 CHAPTER 5
RESULT & DISCUSSION

5.1 LABORATORY TEST RESULT

The fineness modulus (FM) of all the soil samples were obtained by sieve analysis is
presented in Table 5.1 and the graphical representation of the test result shown in figure-5.1
and figure-5.2. Sieve sizes used are-150μ, 212μ, 300μ, 425μ, 600μ, 1.18mm, 2.36mm,
4.75mm, and larger. It is well known that smaller is the FM value.

Table – 5.1: Fineness Modulus of Bank soil

(Source: Test carried out by Mr. Somnath Khanra in IIEST, Shibpur)

Depth from Pre-work (Feb’ 2013) Post-work (Feb’ 2015)

JGT Bore hole-1 Bore hole-2 Bore hole-1 Bore hole-2
300 mm 0.08 0.10 0.08 0.70
600 mm 0.11 0.11 0.07 0.60
900 mm 0.09 0.11 0.05 0.59

Bore hole-1 Feb' 2013 Feb' 2015 Bore hole-2 Feb' 2013 Feb' 2015
0.8
0.7 0.12 0.11
0.6 0.61
0.1 0.09
Fineness Modulus

Fineness Modulus

0.6 0.08 0.08

0.08 0.07
0.4 0.06 0.05
0.04
0.2 0.1 0.11 0.11
0.02
0 0
300mm 600mm 900mm 300mm 600mm 900mm
Depth (MM) Depth (MM)

Figure – 5.1: FM of Bank soil of BH-1 Figure – 5.2: FM of Bank soil of BH-2

5.2 BANK LINE MIGRATION ANALYSIS

Riverbank line migration analysis is computed from SRTA data by using Geospatial
analyst tool in Arc-GIS. As shown in figure 5.3 and figure-5.4

18
 Figure - 5.3: Bankline shifting, 1980 to 2013
(Source: Study conducted by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2015)

Figure - 5.4: Bankline shifting, 2013 to 2015

(Source: Study conducted by Mr. Somnath Khanra during the year of 2015)

19
5.3 DISCUSSION

(a) The basic question is about the external features that could exhibit the process of
consolidation known as ‘filter-cake’ formation of soil. One such feature is the pattern of grain
size distribution which can be assessed by determining the Fineness Modulus (FM) of bank
soil, given in table-5.1.The theoretical concept of filter cake formation is that coarser particles
in a soil body come close to geotextile and tend to form arches when obstructed by geotextile
pores. The arches hold back the finer particles that try to move with pore water.We have
determined FM of the bank soil extracting soil samples from three different layers
(300/600/900 mm from top of GJT) at two locations. The bar charts in figure 5.1 and figure
5.2 reflect that average grain size has progressively decreased with depth. FM of soil at a
depth of 300mm from JGT is higher than that at a depth of 600mm while soil at a depth of
900 mm is smaller than that in the layer 600 mm above it. There is a palpable trend of filter
cake formation distinguished by replacement of finer particles by coarser ones which veered
close to JGT and retained smaller particles over them. This is a sure indication of progress in
bank soil consolidation leading to a state of effective stress ultimately with the passage of
time.

(b) The satellite images of Feb’ 1980, Feb’ 2013 and Feb’ 2015have been analyzed
(shown in figure 5.3 and figure 5.4) to depict the morphological changes of the river in the
study area. It is observed that there is a noticeable shift in bank-line in the study area since
1980. The data has been carefully collected to enumerate the bank line changes at different
stages, i.e. Pre-work condition, During-work and Post-work-condition. From the observation
of these images, it is noticed that the dramatically shifting occurred in theleft bank of the
study area during the year 1980 to 2013, shown in figure-5.3. In this region, a sand bar is
observed in the imagery of 2013. A small channel is observed which separates the sandbar
from the right bank of the Bhagirathi. Despite the tendency of bank line shift of JGT treated
bank have stood undisturbed.

(c) With increased hydraulic conductivity of bank soil on bio-degradation of JGT

dissipation of pore water pressure is facilitated. Additionally, this may help ensure
accelerated vegetation growth over the treated bank. In the JGT treated areas growth of
vegetation was observed over boulder pitching, shown in the photograph of monitoring work.

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 CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
6.1CONCLUSION

The following are the conclusions from the study

(a) JGT if made to last for at least a couple of season cycles by treating it with a suitable
additive could be an effective, environment- friendly and economical substitute of a
granular filter as well as synthetic geotextiles.
(b) Low life of JGT is not a technical disadvantage as is commonly perceived.
(c) Determination of Fineness Modulus (FM) can indicate the status of soil consolidation
in the river bank.
(d) This study will help to decision making against the hazard of river bank erosion.

(e) In a poor developing country, where engineering interventions are very costly, there
this erosion protection technique probably a good solution for erosion protection.

6.2FUTURE SCOPE OF WORK& SUGGESTION

The present study can be extended to the following:

(a) The study can be carried out more by using JGT in different characteristics of the
river.
(b) Evaluation standard design methodology of JGT use in a different field by model
study and research.
(c) Meeting and seminar must be conducted. The activities can change the thinking of a
river engineer that erosion control has not to use expensive materials.
(d) Directorate Water Resources Development must be continued to use JGT for
erosioncontrol and riverbank protection.
(e) Research Institute must research the efficiency of JGT and also makeanother design
of methodology which is more effective to erosion control.

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PHOTOGRAPH OF MONITORING WORK

Bank erosion of river Pre-work Vegetation growth after one year

Vegetation growth after application of JGT, Feb’ 2015

(Source: Photo Collected by Mr. Somnath Khanra)

22
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[11] Das S., Adak K. and Samanta K., Hydrodynamic changes of river course of
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