Tunnel electrification with quality at the fore
With a mission to improve the connectivity of Jammu & Kashmir with the rest of India, the government has envisioned the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project for a reliable transportation system. The entire electrical and mechanical (E&M) scope of the project has been divided into multiple packages, with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) in charge of over 90 percent of the tunnels and bridges.
Project Manager, Nandalal Chandra, proudly holds up the L&T Construction Quality Award – 2023 that the KRCL Package T3 & T5 Project has won. “Each and every person at site has exhibited a passion for quality, and it shows,” he begins, visibly proud of his team. “Our commitment to consistently deliver exceptional results has been the driving force behind our success.”
Nandalal Chandra
Project Manager
We have targeted to achieve a CQI rating of 90% and above, and we have consistently maintained an ‘Excellent’ customer rating throughout. The client has expressed their satisfaction with the quality of our work, and there are nil customer complaints.
The scope of the T3 & T5 Package entails the E&M system which includes supply, erection, testing & commissioning of 33 kV and 11 kV HT power cable network, GIS substation, DG sets, tunnel ventilation system, tunnel lighting, SCADA system, firefighting system, and others for Tunnels T3 & T5.
A quality benchmark that has impressed the client
“We have targeted to achieve a CQI rating of 90% and above,” informs Nandalal, “and we have consistently maintained an ‘Excellent’ customer rating throughout. The client has expressed their satisfaction with the quality of our work, and there are nil customer complaints.”
QA/QC In-charge, Vishnu Kumar, reveals that he and his team maintain and review cost of rework on a monthly basis. “This has helped us keep a constant eye on the quality of work executed while following the ‘first time right’ principle. Further, we conduct periodic cross-BU and internal QMS audits to ensure that we are on top of things always.”
Progress, however, has not been without bumps. The remote location posed challenges such as mobilization of skilled workmen, logistics movement, and establishing a communication channel. “We engaged local workmen, prepared and followed a P&M SOP to minimize human effort, and use a hand trolley to transport material & a Walkie Talkie to communicate inside the tunnel,” elaborates Tanmay Dwivedi, Planning Manager. The labour colony is well equipped with adequate facilities to tackle both the summer and the winter.
The quarterly quality theme campaign, based on incidents raised in the QIR app, has reduced repeated observations. Good practices are highlighted regularly, and staff & workmen awarded monthly prizes to keep them motivated to perform. “Our VR-aided inductions and special training sessions on job-specific works monitor and implement safety & quality, and help us effectively train the inexperienced local workforce,” notes Vishnu.
With about 80% of the project complete, Nandalal and team are running full steam to deliver the project on time. “The Quality Award has certainly brought a josh to our team,” beams Nandalal as he signs off. “With our combined efforts, I am sure that we will hand over the project with a quality we can be proud of!”
For a more in-depth look at the KRCL T3 & T5 Project, read our coverage in the April–September 2022 issue of
ECC Concord.