What fascinates Sanjay Mitra about L&T after over three decades in its company is the freedom to delegate responsibility and the authority to execute one’s responsibilities. Looking back at his various projects and positions with some relish, he informs, “Presently, I am the SCM Buyer & Supply Store In-charge at the G‑Blast Furnace Upgradation project for TISCO at Jamshedpur.”
At the KPO Kalinganagar Project, Sanjay recalls having to handle approximately 63,000 MT of refractory bricks during execution. “We implemented an RFID/QR code system to mark individual packages online, by which we completed the job without losing a single day due to non-availability of material,” he says triumphantly. Additionally, the initiative helped the team to easily reconcile the material and hand over the extra back to the client. “It has also been my passion and continuous effort over the last 25 years to reengineer and identify alternate spare parts and authentic sources for high-value P&M spares,” he shares seriously, “which has helped us make substantial cost savings in procurement of spares and reduce lead times.”
Some of his challenges were unloading & handling huge bricks, which required deploying proper equipment like telehandlers, fork-lifts, and ramps in the right combination and meticulous storage scheme. Storing bricks was another problem. “We tentatively calculated the total space required based on material inflow and outflow and planned and constructed the storage area,” he shares. “It is important to have a vivid knowledge of the erection sequence for proper storage and retrieval, requiring the store and execution teams to work in perfect tandem.”
In Sanjay’s wish list is the implementation of a dynamic tracking system of critical & costly items in the store. To increase tech adoption, he recommends more training for teams on the same system and dedicated developers to constantly change the software to suit the changing requirements of projects.
The support from the then resource head, G Srinivas Rao, to implement the QR code system to monitor the refractory bricks and to initiate a pilot project at CSTI Serampore, with the support of the IMPACT team, to identify and train a group of diploma holders & ITI technicians to implement the QR system is well appreciated. He acknowledges the support of Project Manager Prashant Tikadar & Refractory In-charge Ashok Natarajan and the tireless efforts by the CSTI trainee team at the KPO site too.
From Kolkata, West Bengal, Sanjay is married to Mousumi, a schoolteacher, and they are blessed with a daughter, Srotoswinee. Photography & playing the flute thrill him, and his best moment was receiving the RM award in 1996 for cost saving by developing alternative spares for heavy-duty cranes.
From Kolkata, West Bengal, Sanjay is married to Mousumi, a schoolteacher, and they are blessed with a daughter, Srotoswinee. Photography & playing the flute thrill him, and his best moment was receiving the RM award in 1996 for cost saving by developing alternative spares for heavy-duty cranes.
Already a veteran at his 7th project with L&T, Arnab Das still considers his present Alumina Refinery Expansion Project, at Lanjigarh, Odisha, as unique and a once in a lifetime opportunity. “Since we have to complete a project abruptly abandoned almost 12 years ago, unlike at any new project where work fronts are generated sequentially, here we had multiple work fronts available simultaneously, making planning and execution extremely difficult,” he shares with an expression of someone eager to take on all challenges. “We looked for new and innovative methods to perform our jobs safely in the limited time at hand with good quality.”
Implementing the new Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) technology for the existing tanks is certainly the highpoint of the project. “We had to ultrasonically test all the weld joints of the 120 previously erected tanks of various sizes ranging 7–15 m in diameter and 10–36 m in height,” he points out with a serious look. “With the rope access system that was approved by the Client, we saved on the huge amount of scaffolding that would otherwise have been required, saved 30% time over conventional methods of scanning, and completed the task with top safety and quality.” A hugely satisfied Arnab adds that a certified IRATA L‑III expert was involved in the process right from demonstration to successful completion without any incident or mishap. “It was only possible thanks to our dedicated site team, experienced managers, and Project Manager Mr. Sanjay Saha,” he says with a punched fist.
To assess the quality of data, the team engaged an ASNT NDT L‑III person from the vendor side to supervise the workmanship quality and maintain the quality of reports that delighted the Client. “We evaluated the results by reviewing the reports and made them accessible to all concerned for continuous improvement and risk mitigation of the product and process, through effective communication and regular awareness sessions by competent trainers.”
He is thankful to his seniors for sharing their rich experience and competency through effective communication, continuous follow up & review of targets to keep the project and his performance on track. “My team members are cooperative, full of energy, ethical, and ready to equally enjoy success and take on responsibility for failures,” he notes wisely.
A native of Tamluk, Purba Medinipur, West-Bengal, Arnab describes himself as a ‘family man’, married to Sangeeta Hait, a homemaker with an MA in Sociology, and blessed with a son, 11-month-old Archishman. He loves to travel with his family, taste different cuisines, listen to audio stories and read travel books. Moments to treasure are his college days, hostel life and his son’s first cry.
“The best part of working with L&T is that I get to work on big projects,” shares an excited Parminder Marwa. “I am exposed to new technologies; I enjoy working with the best resources and a highly professional and technical team.” A glance at his 8 projects with L&T reveals an interesting diversity, including a few overseas assignments.
Parminder’s journey began at the 20.6 MW Waste Heat Recovery Boiler project for Vizag Steel’s sinter plant, followed by a project for Hindustan Zinc mines and then the J3 Paraxylene 4 & Iso Butyl Rubber project in Jamnagar. Thereafter began his overseas sojourn working at the SMP‑1 Al Taweelah Alumina & Etihad Arena projects, both in Abu Dhabi, and then The Esplanade Open Mall/Market project in Dubai. He has also worked at a remote island near Mauritius, building hangers for the Indian Air Base. Returning to home shores, he informs, “My present project is SMP Fabrication for the AMNS Hazira plant for which we have to do in house fabrication of 55,000 MT at our yard.”
Warming up to share about his work, Parminder says, “We started using the Nesting program to plot the cutting plan as per the monthly shaft plan and run the CNC machine to utilize the plates to the maximum, which ensured a continuous flow of plates for our beam line machines,” he says with satisfaction. The team organised daily meetings with every machine operator for them to become a part of the digitalization initiative, that was whole-heartedly supported by Parminder’s seniors and team members.
To begin with, there were issues as the entire team was not aligned with each other to achieve their set goals. “Taking the lead, I motivated them with daily meetings and friendly talks to align them to our plans,” says a josh-filled Parminder. “We made a small internal WhatsApp group with the staff down the line and made them leaders of their working stations.” To further improve the alignment process, he suggests proper training for the operators & other team members involved in the drive. “It would be great if we could have magnetic robotic arms placed over the beam line machine to stop its tilting to improve production,” he says wistfully.
A native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Parminder has been on cloud nine ever since he came to know that his wife, Paramjeet, a homemaker, is expecting their first child. He loves singing and watching sports but finds it difficult to spare time for such pursuits in his busy work schedule.
WORKING WITH L&T HAS BEEN A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE
Zulfekar Ali
Senior Engineer (Materials), M&M SBG
At his first project with L&T at M&M’s AMNS Hazira, Zulfekar Ali describes working with L&T a “transformative experience. The opportunities for professional growth and the supportive culture have significantly enhanced my skills and job satisfaction,” he remarks, certainly in awe of the company he keeps. “I am grateful for the chance to contribute to such impactful projects and to work alongside a team of talented and driven individuals.”
About his work, he flags off implementing an automation workshop at the fabrication yard that includes an automated CNC cutting machine, CNC drilling, beam fit up & welding stations, with the mandate to boost structural fabrication activity. The numbers are certainly showing for as Zulfekar shares with a flourish, “Automation has pushed our production to 750 MT of beams in a single month, and we fabricated 10,000 MT in the month of March.”
The team has implemented EPC Proman for structure and piping work to track progress and monitor the availability of steel for fabrication. “We have integrated the software to check matching steel for both structure and piping,” he adds with a smile. “For the structure part, we have linked the software with Data Analytics tools like Tableau to help us get matching steel on Power BI dashboards that helps in fabrication.” Zulfekar is keen about the QR Code they have implemented to track & trace fabricated structures that have been kept for a long time.
The complexity of the AMNS Hazira project lies in that it is 3 projects in one – BF#2, SMP#3, and BF#3 – making implementation challenging. Zulfekar mentions employing subordinates for operations, like a CSTI NAPS person running the automation workshop, CSTI-trained technicians to run all automatic machines & CSTI trainees to operate the software.
He attributes his success to several of his seniors & colleagues including R Suresh Kumar, G Srinivas, Ajitabh Shah, and Rajesh Kumar Sharma for giving him a free hand to implement automation in the workshop and A DhanShekar for implementing the piping software and spool drawings. “I am grateful to Mr R Sivanesan and Mr Srinivas Pabolu too for believing in me and assigning me to a new task of Piping Planning.”
Basically from Bokaro, Jharkhand, Zulfekar is married to Rifat Shahin, who is perusing her MSc in Physics (Hons) and tutoring children of up to Class 10. “I love to play cricket, cook and spend quality time with my friends,” he says with a laugh. “Looking ahead, I am excited about future opportunities and challenges. With L&T, I am confident that we will continue to achieve great things and drive the future of engineering and construction,” he signs off confidently.
LOOKING TO DESIGN HIS FUTURE WITH L&T
Arnab Paramanik
Senior Engineer (Mech), M&M SBG
Young Arnab Paramanik loves graphic designing and art that he follows passionately. As passionately as he is settling into his first assignment with L&T at the huge AMNS project site, having joined as a GET in July 2023. Becoming a part of this great organization has been a dream come true for Arnab. “My most memorable moment was when I got placed in such a prestigious organization,” he shares delightedly. “That day I was in my hostel room, thinking anxiously about the placement results; suddenly, a notification popped up which led me to where I am today,” he looks around, as if to remind himself that his dream has been realized.
With the deployment of the Automatic Beam Welding & the CNC Cutting machines at site, Arnab finds himself amid a transition from manual methods to automation. “The Automatic Beam Welding Machine has several advantages,” he points out. “It has reduced our time of making beams by 80%, we are delivering quality shafts for fabrication of structures, and we have managed to make the entire process much faster.” With the CNC Cutting Machine precisely cutting the child items, base plates, templates, etc., Arnab and team are saved the manual process of marking & cutting and even feeding the beam line.
Although happy that automation is making their lives easier, the project team still faces major challenges during the process of material handling and control. “We have had to streamline the whole flow process of feeding the beam line, prioritize process control according to the supply and improve the quality of shafts in the best possible manner,” he apprises seriously. Understandably, Arnab would like Material Issuance and Material Control to be digitalised and updated for live tracking, proper utilization and control of resources.
Even as he learns all the procedures related to the project and its flow processes, he is extremely grateful to the vital role his seniors have played in his development thus far, for believing in his capabilities and giving him a platform to flourish. “They have helped me in every conceivable way either by boosting me with their words or by giving solutions to all the hurdles that I have faced during my journey,” he shares emotionally.
Hailing from Durgapur, West Bengal, Arnab is still single and driven to pursue his passions when free. “I am happy that I can give time to myself,” he laughs, sounding sure of what he is seeking from life.
