A nice combination of smart thinking, digital tools, and a lot of support and inspiration are what has helped the team at the 112.5 MW WBSEDCL Solar project in Goaltore, win L&T Construction’s Quality Award 2024, according to its Civil In-charge, Anuj Ratan, who oversees civil execution, ensures quality control and facilitates communication among the various stakeholders. Not surprisingly, one of his most memorable moments in recent times is the commissioning of the plant on 3rd September 2024, within the scheduled timeline.
An example of their smart thinking is the use of a 150-micron HDPE tape for slab shuttering joints for superior finishing of the roof slab. “For workability of concrete, we check for slumps in each batch of concrete to ensure good finishing of the concrete structures,” he says, “and in addition, provide workers with dedicated hands-on training before engaging them in any civil activity to achieve and maintain our quality standards.” To overcome issues of resource allocation and tight deadlines, the team has implemented a more efficient scheduling system to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. “Our regular team meetings ensure clear communication and collaboration, that have greatly improved workflow and project outcomes,” he says with a punched fist.
The N-pulse App is empowering Anuj and team to update status every day and minutely track project progress. “If we are lagging in a task, we identify the problem in the App and try and get it fixed at the earliest,” mentions Anuj, pointing at his phone screen. “The Sterlo/Sanyog App is also helping us maintain quality at our site.”
Having joined L&T in 2017 as a Civil Engineer, Anuj worked on several projects in the Utility Power Distribution (UPD) BU before successfully commissioning the 20 MW Floating Solar Plant in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh. What impresses him most about L&T is the commitment to innovation and sustainability. “Our technology adoption combined with sustainable practices ensure that we deliver high-quality projects while minimizing environmental impact and this forward-thinking enhances project outcomes and contributes positively to the communities we serve.”
He is all praise for his seniors and team members, especially his Project Manager and Planning Engineer, whose guidance has helped him perform exceedingly well, and as he adds, has contributed significantly to his personal and professional growth.
A native of Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, Anuj’s better half is Sakshi Shakya, a homemaker, and they are blessed with a son, Ayansh Ratan. When free, he enjoys playing cricket and, occasionally, badminton.
A GET of the 2023 batch, Sumit Kumar Giri is enjoying the opportunity to learn at his first project, the 112.5 MW WBSEDCL Solar Project in Goaltore. “I am delighted to gain hands-on experience in the renewable energy sector, working alongside a skilled team,” he says with gratitude, happier that his project has won L&T Construction’s Quality Award 2024. “After only 6 months, I was taking care of three blocks in the DC segment and four in the AC segment, out of a total of nine blocks, and completed the tasks on time, focusing on safety and quality. Additionally, I was responsible for all SCADA and MCR building-related electrical work, ensuring effective installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems.”
He got his first taste of dealing with labour, being involved in identifying skilled labour for specific tasks in an area that was new for the renewable sector. “We actively worked on identifying labourers who could be trained for specific roles aligning with our project requirements, which helped us build a competent workforce,” he remarks. To help the workers manage the hot and humid work conditions, especially during the peak summer months, their work schedule was revised by pausing operations before 10 am, resuming after 3 pm that improved productivity.
“Our robust feedback loop system encouraged open communication and collaboration, allowing us to address issues promptly and implement effective solutions,” he nods assertively. The team’s programme to recognize outstanding contributions to quality assurance helped everyone to remain strongly focused on quality. “It also ensured that we met the expectations of all our stakeholders,” grins Sumit.
Sumit attributes his steep learning curve to the incredible support and guidance he has received as a fresher. “My transition into a new role was significantly smoother due to the exceptional team that I had the privilege to work with, while my seniors helped me to understand the particulars of our operations, especially when dealing with workmen, subcontractors, and vendors,” he says almost with folded hands. “I am particularly thankful to our Project In-charge, whose friendly demeanour and willingness to assist have been a great source of comfort and confidence for me.”
A native of Balasore, Odisha, Sumit is single and spends his free time playing chess and occasionally, badminton. “I’m also fond of cooking, which I find both relaxing and creatively fulfilling,” he says, sharing his passions. “The most memorable moment for this project was its successful commissioning on 3 September 2024, delivered in time, as per schedule,” he declares with pride.
Vishwanath Dodmani joined the WBREDA Rooftop Solar Project as a DET and completed the installation activities of his district in a mere 5 months, that included 2 months of COVID, which was also the first district to be fully commissioned out of a total of 11. Presently, as Mechanical & Electrical In-charge at the 112.5 MW Goaltore Solar PV project, he is busy executing, testing, commissioning, and successfully testing PR and grateful that despite his electrical background, he has been entrusted with primary civil and survey tasks. “At my first ground-mounted solar project, I am fortunate that my Project Manager has given me the opportunity to initiate the preliminary works,” he says with a great sense of triumph.
By successfully utilizing the high-accuracy and up-to-date Differential Global Positioning System for site survey, the team has significantly minimized the need for changes in drawings, while using end caps to close conduit openings to prevent the entry of insects and water is a new introduction at their site. “Previously, puff sealant was being used which deteriorates quickly, leading to cable damage and loss of generation,” Vishwanath explains. “We have optimized our conduit design by laying a maximum of four string cables in a single run that has significantly reduced the risk of string faults and generation loss.”
The team faces challenges due to the proximity of the project to villages and forests. “During cultivation, the government releases water for at least 15 days, which affects activities like piling and cable trench works,” he says with an exasperated sigh, adding that during the rainy season they encounter the issue of unavailability of sand apart from rising groundwater levels halting piling works, thereby disrupting MMS erection and other tasks. “To address these, we focus on less affected areas to maintain timelines and advise subcontractors to stock sand beforehand.” Apart from the Sanyog/Sterlo Apps, by raising quality-related issues through the QIR app, they can determine the best possible solutions and prevent recurrence of similar issues in other areas.
A bachelor hailing from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Vishwanath, a true L&T-ite at heart, loves learning new techniques to be time-efficient and listening to case studies of already executed projects. Sharing a delightful moment, he mentions the Head of South Asia Projects from the German Consulate KFW, accompanied by other German government officials and the ILF German Consultant visiting their site. “They roundly appreciated our progress and adherence to the highest quality standards. I feel proud to be a part of the first team to complete execution, commissioning, and successful PR within the scheduled time in the domestic business,” he signs off, eyes glowing.
A newcomer, having joined L&T as a Frontline Supervisor at the Quality Award-winning 112.5 MW WBSEDCL Solar Project, at Goaltore, 2023, Mohammad Sabir Alam is thrilled with the experience. “I wish to take a moment to thank the Company for all the amazing assistance and advice I have received since I started working here,” he says, enjoying the trust and confidence placed on him. “The opportunity to take on significant responsibilities and contribute to major projects is both challenging and rewarding.” Expectedly, his life’s best moment thus far is the successful commissioning of the solar plant on 3rd September 2024, within the scheduled timeline.
“Since joining, I have been responsible for overseeing DC cabling works, MMS works, module mounting works, earthing works in the DC segment, cable laying, equipment erection, and glanding & termination work in the AC segment,” Sabir reels off his list, working closely with his Section In-charge. “I am proud to have successfully completed these tasks on time, with a strong emphasis on safety and quality,” he asserts.
About new initiatives, he mentions the team’s daily training sessions for workers and supervisors to update them of the latest quality standards and best practices. “I maintain direct communication with the workers to support their overall development and address their issues promptly, which motivates them to work diligently,” he elaborates, adding that he is directly involved in conducting testing of cables and equipment alongside the subcontractors’ supervisors to ensure high-quality work.
A major challenge for Sabir has been the interchangeability of workers when material is unavailable. “Such a situation often leads to downtime and inefficiencies, as workmen are unable to switch to other tasks seamlessly and it would help to explore strategies that allow for more flexible work allocation involving cross-training workers in different tasks or developing a more dynamic work schedule that anticipates potential material shortages,” he points out wisely. The team was often hindered during execution by flooding to address which he advocates an effective drainage solution.
A native of Patna, Bihar, and single, Sabir loves to play carrom and cricket, and sometimes badminton when free, which relaxes him and gives him artistic fulfillment. Returning to a favourite topic, he says, “I have learnt a lot from the knowledge and tolerance of my seniors and would especially like to thank my Section-in-Charge, whose warm manner and readiness to help have given me a lot of confidence and comfort. His assistance has not only improved my professional skills but also given me a greater feeling of accountability and dedication to our work.”