Page 45 - September 2015 Digital Construction Opportunities

project focus for main tunnel was a major occasion for technologies and equipment in the project Despite such hindrances, with our technical the project and was attended by Minister construction. To name a few, the Atlas supremacy and use of advanced machineries for Road Transport, Highways and Copco XE3C automatically operated backed by our expert workforce, we expect Shipping Nitin Gadkari, Dr Nirmal Singh, sofware based boomer, Normat’s concrete to commission the project within the the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and spraying shotcrete machines, high capacity scheduled timeline. Kashmir, and other dignitaries. All other articulated trucks from GHH, Macons’ activities are progressing as per the desired batching plants, Putzmeister’s concrete Could you share some unique experiences schedule and the project is expected to be pump and transit mixers from TATA of working on the project? What were ready for commissioning by May 2016 as Greaves are deployed. In addition, wheel the strengths your frm brought to the per the Scheduled Project Completion loaders, truck mounted cranes, hydraulic implementation of the project? Date (SPCD) defned in the Concession operated gantries and formwork for To overcome the varied challenges, we Agreement. lining, ventilation, slab and partition brought out various strengths to the fore wall etc are also being used in the project such as our ability to mobilise working Please elaborate on the best practices, construction. capital for the project in times of high construction equipment and technologies cost of borrowings. Tis ensured smooth that have been utlised in the construction As a project executioner, tell us of the running of the project despite cash crunch of the project? critical challenges faced and the strategies that many of our peers were facing. In late Te tunnel excavation was carried out using planned to overcome the problems in the 2014, the primary EPC contractor whom the New Austrian Tunneling Method mountainous terrain? we had outsourced the entire work backed (NATM) which is a recommended design Construction of tunnels in the Himalayas, out due to certain diferences. However, we and construction technique for tunnelling. being one of the youngest and most were able to work out an agreement with The method makes use of the inherent unstable mountain ranges in the world, them to utilise their already mobilised strength of the rock mass and through is challenging and is associated with wide P&M and engaged several contractors to timely monitoring of the surrounding rock variation in geology. Te rock mass takes carry out other the remaining works. Te characteristics minimises and economises longer than expected to stabilise. Tis made way we negotiated and mobilised to carry the support measures required as one us expend additional eforts and time on our out the pending works was a critical factor excavates through the length of the tunnel. support systems and on close monitoring of in maintaining the required pace of progress Gravity walls made of GI rectangular wire excavation. In addition, we also encountered in project implementation. crates were used in case of slope protection aquifers (water bearing rocks) during linear for high embankments and valley slope excavation and this caused seepage of the In your view, what kind of a diferentiator protection measures using Techo-mesh excavation faces. With excavation of escape will the Chenani-Nashri tunnel project be (Geotextile) and coir mesh were also used, in tunnel connected with main tunnel through for the India Growth Story? addition to anti-rock fall nets on completed the cross passages at every 300 m, we could CNTL project is a mega project that will portals. Mechanised steel frame gantries with start working from multiple faces. We also be an example of capabilities of Indian hydraulic control system were assembled for undertook excavation of the escape tunnel engineering and provide the much needed the tunnel works such as waterproofng and far ahead of the main tunnel, so that we relief to commutation through the existing lining. Our project will be the frst in the could get an approximate idea of the nature long and circuitous route. Tis will be a country to implement Integrated Tunnel of the rock mass likely to be encountered showcase project for future large tunnel Control Systems (ITCS) where ventilation, while excavating the main tunnel construction in the country and may be a fire control, signalling, communication In 2012, due to excess snowfall in the region case study to learn about the challenges in and electrical systems will be automatically the project faced difculties in transporting similar works to be undertaken in the tough actuated and supported by a 3 tier power construction equipment and materials Himalayan geology. Te project authority backup. We implemented in the project even for short distances due to blockade by will also have much to gain from the our award winning Environment, Health snow and poor visibility. We diverted our experience of such a project and enable it to and Safety (EHS) system. Periodic health machinery to assist the relief and clearance frame better concessions and contracts and check-ups for our workers and provision of eforts in the National Highway, during thus improve the viability of such projects emergency care such as self rescue chambers which period we lost signifcant working in the future. The success of Chenani- within the tunnel and rescue dedicated time. In 2014, there were weeks of intense Nashri Tunnel project will define the ambulances to attend to situations were fooding due to unrelenting rain. Tis caused future of tunnel construction in India. Te all made available at our site in addition widespread damage to NH 1A leading to project’s mode of execution will encourage to use of the latest safety measures the tunnel and landslides. This further the construction of such longer and larger and Personal Protective Equipment. delayed the transportation of construction tunnel that had been earlier ignored due materials to our project site. We however to lack of construction capabilities in the Could you name the equipment/ mitigated the impact by using up our country. Te experience from this project technology suppliers who will assist in existing stockpiles and assisting Authorities will attract investments - both foreign and the project construction? in clearing the landslide and open up the domestic - in the Highways and the Indian We have used numerous advanced blocked highway in least possible time. infrastructure sector. u sEPTEMBER 2015|construction opportunities 45