A tunnel daylighting amid Covid darkness
Samruddhi Mahamarg Pkg-14 team achieves first breakthrough under spectre of Covid-19
On May 29, 2021, Afconians at Hindu Hrudayasamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Pkg-14 project achieved the first breakthrough of Maharashtra’s longest and widest road tunnels ever. The roar of the team in a jubilant aftermath of the final blast brought terrific intensity with it. It was the culmination of hard labour under the spectre of Covid-19 pandemic.
Breakthroughs are milestone moments, globally, in any tunnelling project. This was extra special for the burden of execution under a covid-induced environment. With the second wave ravaging the country with millions falling sick and thousands perishing daily between March and May of 2021, it was extremely difficult to maintain the desired speed at work. But the team carefully pressed ahead avoiding any debilitating impact from the virus.
“We were able to achieve the breakthrough three months ahead of schedule. Despite the second wave of the pandemic, the entire team showed tremendous courage, stamina and caution to stick to their task and achieve the daylighting. This was possible because of active cooperation, support, and guidance from our client, locals and a highly-energised execution team. We received special permission from Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to continue our operations following Covid-safety protocols,” mentioned Sekhar Das, the leader and project manager of a highly-motivated Pkg-14 team.
The project has performed remarkably under the most difficult circumstances. Despite the restrictions brought in by the pandemic, the team adapted and improvised.
“To successfully accomplish the breakthrough on time, we executed heading portion and consistently managed more than 200 meters of excavation for nine consecutive months. Our highest was 258.4 metres of heading excavation in a month. We executed 3.3km from a single tube by providing ventilation through vertical shaft of 70m. That is an achievement,” Das said.
But there were times when Das seemed bewildered.
“We followed all Covid prevention and safety protocols, including the SOPs from our client and head office. We created awareness amongst the workers with daily talks and encouraged them to follow personal hygiene. Still some of our workers fell ill. But they were looked after, recovered well and after mandatory quarantine were brought back to work. I am glad that the whole team is excited about this achievement.”
Das knows that he will be marked till this critical package of the Samruddhi Mahamarg project finally gets over. The public and media glare will burn strongly and any bad performance will be judged harshly. There is too much at stake both for him and his men in one of the most high-profile infrastructure projects in Maharashtra.
“We’re aware of the pressures and we’re not letting the intensity go. The team is highly motivated and there is a desire to accomplish. This project is not only vast but also challenging because of the region, the wildlife in and around the area, and the prestige of constructing the state’s longest and widest road tunnels (7.78 km long and 17.4m wide; 3 lanes in each tunnel),” Das said.
As if the project has been earmarked for greatness, the boring of the tunnel for such a huge area is being done for the first time in Afcons.
“Constructing a 35m wide long shade tunnel is a first in the organisation. Gantry concreting of highest perimeter is also a first. Consecutive achievement of more than 200m excavation per month through single face is also a noteworthy achievement,” Das said.
But while he is proud of the past, Das is also alive to the present. Following a management decision to vaccinate all employees, their families, and workers, he organised a Covid Vaccination drive at site to extend the immunisation drive. The site also donated an ambulance for safe movement of Covid positive patients to hospital. “This was our limited but humble way to help the society during the second wave,” Das said.
The breakthrough took place in the presence of Mr Radheshyam Mopalwar, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, MSRDC, Mr Pulkundwar, JMD, MSRDC, Mr AK Gaikwad, JMD, Mr Waghmare, JMD, Mr SK Survase, PD, and Mr Hemant Jagtap, Executive Engineer.
