50,000+ HOUSEHOLDS WILL SOON RECEIVE WATER THANKS TO A QUALITY PROJECT FROM WET IC
Agar Malwa MVS
Started in December 2021 and funded under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the transformative Agar Malwa Multi-Village Scheme (MVS) involves the construction of a 64.15 MLD Intake Well, a 52.92 MLD Water Treatment Plant, 137 MBRs/ESRs & 2700 km of DI & HDPE Pipelines to ultimately supply drinking water to 53,199 households in this district of Madhya Pradesh.
L&T’s team from WET IC under the leadership of Project Manager, V Dhilipkumar, is promising a new dawn for these beleaguered villagers as the scheme envisages to ensure safe, reliable and high-quality drinking water to an area that has for long suffered from water scarcity & inadequate distribution.
“Right from the planning stage, we have been committed to deliver a state-of-the-art water supply system and it is a matter of pride for my enthusiastic project team and me that we have been recognized for our Quality with L&T Construction’s Quality Award,” smiles a delighted Dhilipkumar. “We had our share of technical and logistical challenges but have been overcoming them with determination and innovation like adopting monolithic construction for ESRs, hybrid construction methods for the intake wells and more.
Monolithic construction for ESRs
“To enhance the durability of our construction, we have adopted monolithic shutters to construct the Elevated Service Reservoirs (ESRs) that has enabled us to cast the 3.6 m columns and tie beams in a single pour,” explains Assistant Manager – Planning, Rajesh Patidar. “This approach has significantly reduced construction time and eliminated joints, ensuring stronger, more durable structures.” By forming the columns and tie beams seamlessly, the risk of weak points is minimized, enhancing the stability and longevity of the ESRs.
Hybrid construction of the Intake Wells & ESRs
The Intake Well and the 150-m approach bridge were constructed using a hybrid method of Slipform to cast rapidly and continuously, as well as optimize cost. While the superstructure columns were cast-in-situ for precision and stability, the staircase, beams, and top slab were completed using precast components to save time. “This innovative approach saved us about 200 construction days as we completed the structure in just four-and-a-half months and our cost savings were to the tune of ₹37 lakhs,” flags off a jubilant Dhilipkumar. Another example of the team’s excellent resource management and efficiency was to construct the ESRs using a hybrid method in which the bottom slab was cast in-situ with the zinc aluminium tank installed above it.
“We commissioned the RWPM Pipe laying without leakage following the first-time right concept with proper monitoring of the pipelaying activities,” adds Prashant Patel (Senior Engineer – Mech Execution).
Unwavering focus on progress & quality
Rigorous review and monitoring throughout the construction phase involving regular inspections, progress tracking, and proactive decision-making are what has kept the project on track and winning the Quality Award is a vindication of the MVS project team’s concerted and cohesive approach that must be music to Head – QA/QC, WWW SBG, P Sivasankaran’s ears. “Apart from adhering to ISO 9001:2015 standards, they have implemented L&T’s robust Quality Management System (QMS) framework, ensuring that all processes meet the highest benchmarks from procurement to execution,” he informs. He is equally pleased with the appreciation from the JJM-Delhi Auditor for Implementing ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and that the project achieved a Quality Score of 902 in 2024 with only 14 internal NCRs, all of which have been closed.
The Intake Well and the 150-m approach bridge were constructed with a hybrid method of using Slipform to cast rapidly and continuously, as well as optimize cost. It saved the team about 200 construction days as the structure was completed in just four-and-a-half months accruing cost savings to the tune of Rs. 37 lakhs.
Regular stakeholder reviews and feedback loops with clients and consultants are rigorously maintained while digital tools like QIR, PQI, View EHS, and E-Pragati help the team to monitor progress, track compliance, and document quality metrics in real time. “Our periodic internal audits have identified non-compliances that are actually helping us to continuously improve to ensure zero defects and minimize rework,” asserts Dhilipkumar. Continuous training programs reinforce SOPs and inspection protocols, driving an awareness for maintaining Quality at every stage of the project. “Continuous training for workmen, internal audits and frequent site visits helped us maintain Quality when constructing the MBRs & ESRs,” points out Mohd Mujiburrahman (Engineer – QA/QC).
Quality and safety go hand in hand and that the MVS project has thus far clocked 2.5 safe million-man hours is a testament to the EHS standards followed at site that have additionally been recognized with a National Safety Council Award in 2023, a 4-Star Rating by the British Safety Council and a Statelevel OHS&E Award from the World Safety Organization, both in 2024.
A lot to be proud of
Roundly applauded and recognized for their work thus far, the team is happy with the accolades from the Madhya Pradesh Jal Nigam and local governing bodies in addition to endorsements from key officials. An award that is particularly worth celebrating is the Pride of Central India award from the Dainik Bhaskar magazine, for the project’s exemplary contribution to the Madhya Pradesh region, that was followed by recommendations from the District Collector of Agar Malwa and the General Manager of MPJNM, Ujjain. Internally, the project has been appreciated by the Centre of Excellence for their Innovative Ideas at L&T’s Pi Awards in 2023 & 2024.
That Dhilipkumar and his excellent team are doing most things right reflects their Quality record and here is wishing them the best as they push for completion that will certainly bring joy to those 50,000+ households who are today still struggling for good drinking water.