Page 44 - September 2015 Digital Construction Opportunities

project focus The success of Chenani-Nashri Tunnel Project will define the future of tunnel construction in India Leading surface transportation and infrastructure firm, and one of the largest private sector BOT road operators in India, IL&FS Transportation Network Limited (ITNL), has undertaken development of a very prestigious and a strategic road tunnel project in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. MUKUND SAPRE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IL&FS TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS LTD, responded to queries from CONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES on the state-of-the-art technologies and best practices used in the construction of India’s longest road tunnel project. Tell us about the role of IL&FS in the the project. As a developer, we are engaged from the appointed date. Mobilisation of execution of the Chenani-Nashri tunnel in executing the project through our plant and equipment along with manpower project in Jammu & Kashmir along with team as an engineering, procurement and took the initial 2-3 months and afer portal ofering details about the scope of work? construction (EPC) contractor. We have development, the excavation for both tunnels IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd engaged various agencies for providing began in August 2011. Te breakthrough (ITNL) has a dual role to play in the designs, executing civil works, procuring for the escape tunnel was achieved on June development of the project - both as a construction materials, and mechanical, 2, 2014 and for the main tunnel on July 13, concessionaire and as the developer. As electrical and plumbing works. Te scope 2015. On an average about 900 workers a concessionaire we are the sole sponsor of work involves construction of a two have been working round the clock on the of the special purpose vehicle (SPV) – lane, 9 km long Single Tube tunnel, which project and a total of 10.23 million man- Chenani Nashri Tunnelway Ltd (CNTL). is Asia’s longest, outside of China and Japan, hours have been spent at site. Te budgeted Te SPV will look afer the development, and will be India’s longest road tunnel. total project cost is `37,200 million of construction, operation and maintenance Besides the standard tunnel features it is which 80 per cent is being funded on debt phases during the concession period of also provisioned for continuous monitoring basis from various banks including around through state-of-the-art ITCS (Integrated $60 million through ECBs, which is being Tunnel Control System) and will be the frst explored and the remaining is through our of such project in India to be equipped with internal sources – equity and sub-debt. We this system. have been the sole developers of the project and have not entered into any partnerships Could you describe the contours of for the project. However we have engaged the project such as details of timeline designers, subcontractors and such other of construction, labour involved, agencies for project execution. construction materials used, cost of project, partnerships, funding patterns What is the progress made in terms of etc? project implementation and the current As per the Concession Agreement, the status of the project? duration of construction is of fve years Te breakthrough for the escape tunnel was from the appointed date – May 23, 2011, achieved on June 2, 2014 and for the main and involves a 20 years concession period tunnel on July 13, 2015. Te breakthrough 44 construction opportunities|sEPTEMBER 2015