VOLUME 9 | ISSUE 3 | JULY 2019

TRANSFORMING & KASHMIR fromEVC’Sdesk Winning J&K, makingheadlines softly There is often an increased level of anxiety and concern associated with infrastructure projects in the northern most state of our country, ie, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). A lot of sensitive issues combined with tough terrains make construction jobs extremely difficult. But over a decade, or, so, Afcons has quietly transformed the region by virtue of its patience, sacrifices, and, engineering daredevilry. Our teams have Aid for Fani victims put extraordinary efforts to carve roads, daylight Cyclone Fani ravaged tunnels, and, build bridges in J&K. But our through Odisha recently. In an attempt at helping those success is not an entitlement. It is something affected by the cyclone, that we have slogged to earn every day. As Afconians from Gopalpur Photocaption comes here..... Afconians, we have tried to do everything we site shared a truckload of food items and other essentials. The material was can to individually and collectively exceed our handed over for distribution to the Sub Divisional customers’ expectations. Police Officer of Chatrapur. Afconians from KMRC (1674) site also sent a truck with food items, water Afcons has created some mind-boggling bottles and solar lanterns to help the distressed. infrastructure. The Jammu- Highway is The material was handed over to the Confederation regarded as the fastest hill road project in National of Indian Industry (CII) office in Kolkata from where Highway Authority of ’s (NHAI) history. The they were dispatched to Puri. series of completed and ongoing railway tunnels for the arduous Udhampur-Srinagar- Rail Link Indian High Commissioner project, including the Chenab Rail Bridge, is nothing visits Lusaka site short of distinction.

We’re proud to be the ones to make the Chenab Bridge project a reality. Constructing this world- beating project has been one of the biggest learning experiences. We are innovating, adapting and experimenting along this exciting journey, and, will continue to do so as the bridge takes shape.

During this decade-long journey, we have weathered many different types of storms. Our breakthrough innovations, value engineering have inspired Indian High Commissioner Mr NJ Gangte visited confidence in our customers. Our commitment to the Lusaka City Roads Decongestion Project in May community development by creating jobs, addressing 2019. He expressed satisfaction with the progress necessities at the grassroots, providing construction of the project, and, appreciated the engagement of support to locals, and, providing sustainable solutions local engineers and capacity building. This project is one of the most critical road projects in the country, has endeared us to every community in the region. and, is slated to improve bilateral relations between Our moto of holistic growth leads us to manage our the two nations. company and projects through the lens of humanity. OFFICE ADDRESS May this spirit of resilience and AFCONS House, 16, Shah Industrial Estate, generosity grow stronger as we Veera Desai Road, Azadnagar, Andheri (W), continue, in our limited ability, Mumbai - 400 053, Maharashtra, India. to transform infrastructure in Tel No: +91-22-67191000 Jammu & Kashmir. Fax: +91-22-2673 0047/ 2673 0026 Website: www.afcons.com CIN No: U45200MH1976PLC019335 EDITORIAL Bhakti Prasad, Krishnakumari C, K Subramanian Bivabasu Kumar, Chandrika Sen

2 VOLUME NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 WWW.AFCONS.COM coverstory AFCONS IN J&K A journey of love & perseverance If there is a heaven on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here! — Sufi scholar Amir Khusrow on Kashmir

fcons has made the heaven called Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) its home for more than a decade now. The company is instrumental in giving theA region some of the most iconic projects, not only in India, but across the world. Each of these structures began with a dream of transforming the region that evokes emotions and tensions in equal measure. These projects have involved arduous labour amidst toughest of conditions. Tenacious teams have braved harsh weather, hostile locations and turbulent socio-economic climate to give this land At 359m, Chenab Rail Bridge is the hope by connecting it with the rest of world’s highest railway bridge the world. Every bit of infrastructure built here is a step taken towards transforming J&K and ushering in business and employment in the region.

World’s highest The Chenab Rail Bridge project is Afcons’ pride. Once built, the 359m tall and 1315m long structure will be the world’s highest single- arch rail bridge. With a design life of over 100 years, this bridge is being built in extreme geological and climatic conditions. The bridge between Udhampur and Baramulla is a part of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd’s ambitious Afcons has constructed 11 tunnels in Jammu & Kashmir Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Afcons displayed sheer grit while Railway Link (USBRL) project constructing tunnels in envisaged for socio-economic development in J&K. In a first, worldwide, Afcons is Our relationship with Afcons attempting incremental launching is very cordial and the trust on a transition curve to launch the and working environment main steel arch of 480m span. The deck on the viaduct is partly in what we have created for the straight, partly in a circular curve Konkan Railway Project way and partly on transition curve. back in 1991, the same we are The arch span is being built using cable cranes and derrick moving also feeling here also with Jammu Udhampur Highway is NHAI’s fastest road project in a hilly terrain on the already-erected portion of the Afcons the viaduct. The Chenab Bridge Project Undertaking (CBPU) has RAJESH K, DEPUTY CE, KRCL

WWW.AFCONS.COM VOLUME NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 3 commissioned the world’s tallest PROJECTS IN JAMMU & KASHMIR cable crane at site that can handle loads up to 34T on single hook. Many sophisticated equipment such as 7.4 KM CNC cutting machines, Flux Core 21.5 KM LONGEST Arc welding equipment mounted on COMPLETED SINGLE UNDER trolleys, ultrasonic testing machine 11 TUNNEL LENGTH TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION for examining welds for internal COMPLETED defects etc are being deployed. TUNNELS 16.45 KM UNDER5 UNDER NHAI’s first TUNNELS CONSTRUCTION With the commissioning of the CONSTRUCTION TUNNELS TUNNEL LENGTH Jammu-Udhampur highway in 2015, Afcons completed the fastest hill road project in the history of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). HYDRO The breathtaking ride takes just 45 ELECTRIC minutes, considerably less than the two-and-a-half hours it used to take earlier. 17 BRIDGES Smoother navigation INCLUDING CHENAB significantly cuts down chances of UNDERGROUND RAIL BRIDGE 65KM POWER HOUSE accidents. Apart from political and OF ROAD PACKAGE strategic importance, these areas UNDER CONSTRUCTION UNDER CONSTRUCTION are major tourist attractions. NH 1-A is also used for all commercial and defence logistics making it the lifeline of J&K. The biggest challenge that posed the engineers was ensuring undisrupted flow of traffic, and, therefore, diversions had to be l Disaster Relief precise throughout the period of l Aid for flood, land slide victims construction. The old road was strewn l Providing locals with food, drinking water l Infrastructure support for schools, locals We have got a very good l Medical support l Donation of ambulance contractor (Afcons) and COMMUNITY l Installation of borewells a good concessionaire l Development of village roads l Construction of community halls, playgrounds (Shapoorji Pallonji). This SUPPORT will be the fastest project were deployed to build the 65-km the biggest hydroelectric project in in the hilly area of the stretch. the state. Built on Marusadar River, country where we are able a tributary of , the to complete the project well Extreme Engineering project is part of the Prime Minister’s Afcons has already constructed Development Package for the state ahead of schedule. In that five BG single-line railway tunnels and is aimed at boosting power way, it’s a landmark project on the Katra-Laole section of the generation. USBRL project. The total length of RP SINGH, PROJECT DIRECTOR, NHAI the tunnels, including cut and cover, Community engagement is approximately 8,500m. This is a While on one hand, our teams with blind curves. The highway was, challenging project because of the have displayed excellent project therefore, re-designed such that the tough terrain and erstwhile terrorist management skills, on the other, alignment had less curves and wider attacks. Undeterred, Afconians have they have mingled with local bends that allowed an average speed continued their mission, and, Afcons communities and embraced their limit of 60kph (earlier the average became the first company to daylight culture and sentiment. Afconians speed was 25-30 kph). Blasting was tunnels in this section. The company have stood by locals during natural not allowed during construction. So, is also executing five tunnels and 16 calamities, extended help through excavation had to be done by rock bridges in the region for the USRBL rescue operations, supported breakers and environmental safety project. All the bridges are set in with food, medicine, shelter, norms were strictly followed. geologically extreme locations and are construction and refurbishment The highlight of the project was critical for the ambitious project. of schools, buildings, markets, the sheer number of structures. It playgrounds, community centres etc. included 76 bridges/viaducts and Hydro-electric boost At every stage, Afcons has ensured underpasses, 223 culverts, almost The most-recent project Afcons development and well-being of local 10 km of retaining wall, 27 km of bagged in J&K is the 1000 MW communities and these are just small breast wall, four twin-tube tunnels, underground powerhouse package for steps into making a haven of the amongst others. Over 8,000 workers the Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project, heaven that Kashmir is.

4 VOLUME NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 WWW.AFCONS.COM inconversation SM Viswamurthy Bridging the Chenab Valley

ist cuts through into a building the arch on November 2017. sunny afternoon at the Arch segments are being launched Chenab Railway Bridge using the world’s tallest cable Project site. It soon cranes. Individual segments are Mbegins to drizzle. The faint drone of being lifted and joined with high- welding from the fabrication yard strength friction bolts. The activity merges seamlessly with the pitter- is being conducted simultaneously patter. on both ends of the valley at Kauri “My team is building the and Bakkal. The progress of the arch world’s highest railway bridge in from both ends has been nearly extreme conditions. We are having identical. We conducted extensive to acclimatise ourselves with the trial assemblies before the actual topography and climatic conditions mammoth task of building the arch,” every step of the way to make he says. Chenab Railway Bridge Project a The team battles inclement success. We never know what’s in weather conditions every day. store for us in terms of weather Fluctuating temperatures pose a when we begin the day,” says S.M. challenge while erecting the arch Viswamurthy, project manager, segments and wind bracings as they every activity is a project in itself, Chenab Rail Bridge Project. result in expansion and contraction innovations have been the name The 545m arch, which is being of these parts. of the game. The height at which built over Chenab river, takes shape “I am proud we have maintained the project is built just adds to our in a hostile terrain where landslides world-class quality in every activity challenges. One of the innovations and downpours are a way of life. we have done despite such tough en route building the arch have Building a single-arch railway conditions. Fabricating the viaduct been installing working platforms at bridge at this height in such weather segments, piers, trestles and arch such great heights for our workers. conditions is not a job for the faint- segments and erecting them have Every activity done for hearted. been challenging for our team. this project has been a SM Viswamurthy “The highlight of the Chenab All activities have been minutely lesson for the team,” is the project Railway Bridge is the single arch, monitored and advanced safety gear says the native of manager of whose highest point will be 359m, has been provided to all our men,” Bellary, Karnataka, who Chenab Rail on which the railway deck will says Viswamurthy. is as keen on sports and Bridge Project be built. We began the process of “In case of Chenab Bridge, where reading.

2019 strategyconclave

Shapoorji Pallonji Group Chairman Mr Shapoor Mistry with Afcons top management led by Executive Vice Chairman Mr K Subramanian and Managing Director Mr S Paramasivan at the 2019 Strategy Conclave in Mumbai

WWW.AFCONS.COM VOLUME NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 5 awards news EVC VISITS AHMEDABAD METRO PROJECT Executive Vice Chairman, K Subramanian, visited the Ahmedabad Metro Rail project on June 7, 2019. They reviewed the progress of the project at all sites and motivated the team to complete the project on time. A tree plantation drive near project office was also held during their visit.

MD VISITS KUWAIT SITE Managing Director S Paramasivan and Director – CPE V Manivannan, visited the RA 256 PART, Roads and Bridges project, Kuwait, from April 29 to May 1, 2019. A team headed by the MD, met the Minister of Public Works Dr Jenan Mohsen Bushehri. Mr AWARD FOR HSE EXCELLENCE Paramasivan and Mr Manivannan also interacted with the project Afcons has won the award for Construction management team, assessed the progress and motivated them to Company of the Year 2019 in HSE achieve the target in stipulated time. Excellence at the HSE Summit & Awards India 2019. A total of 63 organisations were in the running for the award, 17 being from IFTAR CELEBRATIONS IN KUWAIT AND DUBAI the construction sector. The ceremony was The Kuwait project team organised a Dawat-e-Iftar, on May 23, held in Mumbai, on June 14, 2019. The 2019. The occasion was graced by senior delegates including Mr award was received by Mr Vipinchandran Mohammed Ismail Al- Saffar, PE, PART, and officials from Parsons Nair, AGM-HSE, and Ms Prabha Mishra, WSP Mr Mohammed Basheer, GM-BD and Adel M Elsekhily, RE, Senior Manager-HSE. among others. Afconians at The Entrances to the Jewel of Creek site, in Dubai, also came together to partake iftar on May 26, 2019. BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE AWARD FOR TWO PROJECTS American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), India chapter British Safety Council has awarded organised 7th Professional Development Conference at IIT Madras on April 27-28, 2019 in Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project and Vizhinjam collaboration with ICOH Scientific Committee on Occupational Sea Port Project the International Safety Health in Construction Industry (SCOHICI), ICOH Scientific Award (Merit) 2019 for demonstrating a Committee on Small Scale Enterprises and the Informal Sector strong commitment to good health and safety (SCOHSSEIS) and The Department of Engineering Design, IIT management in 2018. Madras. Afcons HSE head Mr Ramakrishna Rao was felicitated with ‘Best Safety Professional of the Year Award-2019’. He also The Vizhinjam Project also won two awards delivered a at the CII-SR EHS Excellence Awards 2018. lecture on ‘Creating an Accident Injury Free Workplace The project won the second place in Projects, through BBS’. Construction, Development/Water/Power/ Ports category and 5-star Rating Award for Excellence in EHS practices. hse

Afcons House Al-Awir Project Afconians celebrated World Environment Day at Afcons House and sites with several initiatives such as tree plantation drives, motivating speeches, quiz and drawing competions.

newprojects

JNPT ON A ROLL! NAGPUR METRO REACH 1 LNG TERMINAL JOB Afcons has been honoured for its Afcons has been awarded the job of constructing AT CHHARA Outstanding Contribution in Port facilities at Mihan and Higna depots for Reach HPCL Shapoorji Energy Pvt Ltd Project for Bharat Mumbai Container 1 of the Nagpur Metro project by Maharashtra has given Afcons an EPC job for Terminals Project at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. The company is LNG storage tank for Chhara LNG in the Infra category during the 8th EPC already working on Reaches 2 and 3. terminal in Gujarat. World Awards.

6 VOLUMEWWW.AFCONS.COM NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 WWW.AFCONS.COM viewpoint hrcorner

city is known by how its people travel. R ANANTAKUMAR The first image Mumbai conjures Management Development up is local trains while London is Programme A A Middle Management Development Programme synonymous with the Underground. This puts into context the role of transport infrastructure 2019 (Phase III) was organised at Head Office from in defining a city’s identity. April 22-26, 2019. The programme was attended by Indian cities are stretching themselves senior managers and managers from different sites and beyond capacity. Long-established modes modules covered included QS & Contracts, HSE and of public transport are burdened; Roads are soft skills session. choked with increasing number of vehicles; And, pollution levels are rising at an alarming Soft Skills Trainings rate. Metro Rail, therefore, is the most viable A one-day workshop on personal effectiveness was solution. India features amongst world’s top conducted at Chenab and KRCL bridge sites on April 10 Metro Rail networks, and, is expanding 29-30, 2019. The objective of the programme was rapidly. Today, we have a Metro network of to bring about an understanding on the importance nearly 600 kms, with an equal number under of personal effectiveness to enable the participants construction across 15 cities. We are set to enhance their interpersonal competence. see an exponential growth in this sector, with around 1,500 kms of Metro rail projects being Leadership Workshop cleared across 21 cities. A day-long workshop on leadership was organised at Afcons began its Metro journey in the KMRC site on June 6, 2019. The objective was to help 1980s, and, we have built over 100 kms of participants in effective management of teams through Metro network, and, more than 30 elevated better leadership and motivation skills. and underground stations in five Indian cities since. It has been one exhilarating journey! CLOCKING In 2017, Afcons made history when we community completed India’s first underwater Metro METRO MILES, tunnels for in Kolkata under river Hooghly. We engagement were the first Indian company to construct an ONE RECORD underground Metro station without a foreign JV, at Barakhamba, in New Delhi. With AT A TIME Chennai Central Metro Station, we built one of Asia’s biggest underground inter-change Metro stations. And, presently, we’re constructing India’s deepest underground Metro station (30m below ground level) in Kolkata. We recently completed a11-km viaduct for Nagpur Metro in a record time of 31 months. This is by far the largest Metro viaduct constructed by a single entity in India, and, perhaps the fastest too. Also, earlier this year, we achieved simultaneous tunnel breakthroughs for Ahmedabad Metro and completed the tunnelling works one month ahead of schedule. We’re happy that, at Afcons, we have a strong foundation, and, are reckoned amongst leading Metro players in the country. Today, Afcons has the distinction of being the first Indian contractor to qualify on its own (without partner) for TBM tunnelling in Metro. In continuation to our efforts of assisting communities R Anantakumar, Executive Vice President, and, BU Head Urban Infrastructure around Afcons’ project sites, in Ghana, Afconians extended their helping hand to residents of Kpong Quarters (Km 62+400) by providing them access to One of Asia’s the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) (photo biggest top). The NHIS is a social intervention programme inter-change introduced by the government to provide financial Metro stations, access to quality healthcare for Ghanaian residents. The Chennai team also constructed a fence around a basic school Central Metro (pre-school to Grade 9) to ensure safety of the children. Station ▼ Afcons has adopted the school and is aiding by providing manpower support and furniture. India’s first 11km viaduct 30M In Bhutan, the Phuentsholing Township Development underwater excavation Project, the Afcons team has donated a TV set with for Nagpur Metro tunnels Metro Rail for Howrah network connection and wall fans for residents of a Drug for East-West Metro Rehabilitation Centre. project ready in Metro Project, record time of Station, Kolkata, India’s 9 UG Metro Stations of Chennai Metro awarded OF 31 deepest MONTHS BUILT IN Metro Platinum Rating by Indian 67 DAYS Station Green Building Council (IGBC)

First Indian company to Simultaneous First Indian construct an underground breakthrough of contractor to qualify Metro station using top- Metro tunnels for on its own (without down methodology without Ahmedabad Metro partner) for TBM a foreign JV tunnelling in Metro

WWW.AFCONS.COM VOLUME NO. 09 | ISSUE 3 | July 2019 7 Sharing is Caring

Afconians poured their heart and soul to make the stationery donation drive held for students of the tribal Ashramshala a grand success. The three-day drive held between June 17-20, 2019, saw employees form groups, interact and co-ordinate to select writing, study, drawing and craft material for the children. At the end of the drive, 12 huge cartons were packed and handed over at SP Centre for them to be sent to the Ashramshala, at Padsare, in Raigad district.

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