Page 47 - CO April 2017 Full Issue

Powered by COVER STORY INTERACTION In this form, there are various uncertainties Detail us with regards to the latest technologies like construction equipment, sofware, such as varying geological conditions which building materials etc your company has used in metro rail projects. throws up unforeseen hurdles, limited space Being one of the major frontline players in the Metro sector, HCC uses the state of the in congested city environment, shifing of art Tunnel boring machines. In Mumbai Metro we are using dual mode, double shield underground utilities and trafc diversions rock machines which are able to deal with both the rock environment as well as the soil etc. But the good thing is that Metro clients environment (EPB). Tis latest TBM allows you to probe 50-100 meters ahead of the design the contract in such a manner that it cutter head which gives you a lot of idea about the geology the TBM is going to face while is easy to resolve such issues. drilling ahead. Another big challenge is getting land in We also utilise the technologies to monitor the real-time progress of the tunnel boring densely populated areas to launch tunnel machines. Lot of new technologies is being used to carry out the building conditions survey boring machines and make casting yards. and to do soil analysis beforehand to take remedial measures for smoother operations. Addressing land issue is a very time In the elevated metro projects now a lot of new launching techniques like full span launching consuming process in our country. to overhead launching are being used which reduce the cycle time to just 2 days only. Delhi Metro has set a very good example by making land available on time to the recommend going for EPC kind of projects has big implication on the project cost as contractor so that the work can start and for underground construction because of execution of only Mumbai Metro requires progresses seamlessly. Tis can only be done the uncertainty which contractor may face more than 20 machines; Delhi Metro used by taking the public at large in consensus once the work starts. However if we have to more than 30 machines at a time. Tis policy even before starting the project. execute the project on EPC basis then we change would also motivate contractors should have a mechanism in place by which to import and use latest technology for What sort of support or policy changes are risk are properly shared rather than being better and faster delivery of world class you expecting from the government with shifed to the side of either parties. infrastructure. regards to metro rail projects execution. One more policy support which we look for Te metro projects are not very diferent is the mechanism to deal with the change Future outlook for the industry and from from other infrastructure projects, as far as in the state laws & regulations. We execute a company perspective. policies are concerned. One of the teething Metro projects in various states which have India needs a lot of infrastructure which issues that any infrastructure player faces diferent laws and regulations. Any change itself speaks about the growth potential today is the payment related to variations in the law can have fnancial implications of Metro Sector. Also the amount of focus due to geological surprises. What we need of the project which should be answered government is giving on infrastructure is a mechanism in the contract to deal properly by the client and also taken care sector through highways, ports, railways, with such geological surprises which are by the government. high speed rails, metro etc shows the way beyond the baseline geological reports Underground Metro construction requires potential of the infrastructure industry. It provided at the time of tendering. huge investment in machines and it is will be one of the most prominent industries For example, International Federation important that when such machines are in the next 10 years as leading players in of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) on imported, they should be given concession this sector are gearing up for enhancing which most of the EPC and turnkey on import duty. Earlier such imports were their capabilities to handle complex and projects contracts are based on, do not custom duty free; but now they are not. It demanding projects. u aPrIL 2017 |construction opportunities 49