{"id":5256,"date":"2020-12-08T18:10:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-08T12:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.lntecc.com\/eccnews_oct_mar_2021\/?p=5256"},"modified":"2020-12-16T09:44:08","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T04:14:08","slug":"railways-sbg-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/services.lntecc.com\/eccnews_oct_mar_2021\/railways-sbg-3\/","title":{"rendered":"RAILWAYS SBG"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”50″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/12″ css=”.vc_custom_1588268356963{padding-right: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text el_class=”bgh” css=”.vc_custom_1593496935731{padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}”]\"\"<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”11\/12″][vc_empty_space height=”48″ el_class=”bgh” css=”.vc_custom_1588268256681{margin-left: -10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-menu”][maxbutton id=”31″] [maxbutton id=”41″] [maxbutton id=”32″] [maxbutton id=”33″] [maxbutton id=”34″]
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\n[maxbutton id=”40″] [maxbutton id=”45″][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5259″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607607914401{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-font”]<\/p>\n

\u201cL&T HELPS TRANSFORM YOU
\nINTO A LEADER!\u201d<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607431723325{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #94bb46 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Satya Sekhar Samal<\/span><\/h3>\n

Senior Manager (Accounts & Admin), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607679445307{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]On an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the project team at the Mauritius Metro project would have hoped that COVID-19 would not find them. Unfortunately, it did and the team, including Satya Samal, had to quickly re-organize and re-orient themselves to face the challenges of the pandemic. \u201cWe had a 1,200-strong workforce at site and protecting them from being infected either from others within the site or from outsiders was our primary concern,\u201d observes Samal. \u201cEven more critical was to detect infected persons and isolate them before they spread the virus in the workmen colony and workplace.\u201d Immediately after the \u2018national confinement\u2019 in Mauritius was lifted, Samal and team had to face pressure from several workmen who wanted to return to India. \u201cSince the borders were still closed, remobilisation of workmen from India was not possible so we did our best to convince them to stay back in Mauritius and, more critically, keep pushing progress as soon as operations were resumed.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5263″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Prior to the lockdown, Samal and team had distributed the necessary PPE kits and thoroughly briefed all the employees and workmen\u00a0about the precautionary measures to be taken to stay safe. \u201cWe formed several groups on social media platforms to closely monitor the health of our staff, their families and workmen and extensively used digital platforms to create awareness among the workmen,\u201d points out Samal. \u201cAfter resumption of work, we have restricted the movement of staff inside the office to adhere to the social distancing norms and use Microsoft Teams to communicate internally and with external customers.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5266″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Post the lockdown, the team has focused on making up for lost time and Samal remarks that \u201cwe have implemented various cost reduction measures and renegotiated the price with vendors for many items. We have also ensured regular and positive cashflow by collecting receivables from the customer as per the scheduled timeline.\u201d He is lavish in his praise for Project Director, G Vinod\u2019s able leadership in the crisis. \u201cHe organized all the required support from the Government of Mauritius for the smooth resumption of work.\u201d Samal, also mentions his team members Mr. Muralidharan, Mr. Sreenivasaraju, Mr. Kishore Tarale and Mr. Davidraju for their wholehearted support to achieve their objectives. \u201cThey have been the true COVID warriors,\u201d he says sincerely.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607679396062{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Hailing from Cuttack in Odisha, Samal\u2019s better half is Guddi, a homemaker, and their son, Omm\u2019s birth has been Samal\u2019s happiest moment in life more so because he was away from home. Movies, music, and books entertain him during his free time.<\/p>\n

A veteran of several projects, Samal is all praise for L&T that provides ample scope and freedom to learn. \u201cL&T empowers you to take decisions to transform you into a leader,\u201d he says proudly.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607679494139{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-font” css=”.vc_custom_1607738724835{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

A NEW LENS TO VIEW AND
\nSOLVE PROBLEMS<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5270″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607432523160{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #c4874e !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Prashant Gokul Andhare<\/span><\/h3>\n

Construction Manager (ELEC), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5271″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1607679528307{margin-top: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607679595586{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]After joining L&T as a GET from the Batch of 2009, Prashant Andhare has used every opportunity to increase his exposure, shoulder more responsibilities and hone his skills. \u201cI was given independent responsibility to handle the OHE works at the Barauni-Kathihar project, my first, that gave me in-depth knowledge of design, survey, labour and site management,\u201d he shares. In subsequent assignments, he learnt to handle client billing that gave him an insight into contracts, manage large workforces, do material assessment, and get detailed technical know-how. \u201cL&T has always encouraged me to take on more and more responsibilities and given me great opportunities to prove my capabilities which drives me to strive harder, achieve more and push my boundaries to achieve the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Currently, as Project Manager of the Roha-Verna project, a part of the mega Konkan Railway Electrification project, Prashant has been facing challenges of a new kind, though he seems to be loving them. \u201cThese challenges have given me the opportunity to broaden my perspective and encouraged me to identify\u00a0out-of-the-box solutions. It has given me new lens to view problems and identify best solutions which I would never have faced in any conventional project.\u201d The pandemic has forced him, \u201cto re-think, re-assign each activity and as we have learnt, we have successfully identified the best methods for better productivity in these circumstances.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6820″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Labour has been his biggest concern and Prashant\u2019s first small win was to mobilize 200+ local workmen from the nearby villages after contacting and winning over the Sarpanches. \u201cWith proper in-house technical and safety training, they helped us to keep the project moving.\u201d Later, the team were able to increase their numbers to 1,000 by which time the project was well and truly back on track that won them an appreciation certificate from the client. \u201cOne of our significant achievements was 1500 MT of steel erection during the lockdown that is approximately 40% of the total steel structures erected\u00a0till date in the project taking the advantage of the traffic block,\u201d he shares with satisfaction.<\/p>\n

The lack of skilled labour has opened the door for more automation, Prashant remarks. \u201cWe are using an excavator with breaker and a self-loading mixer machine on rail BFR along with our UTV that has hugely improved our productivity.\u201d In addition, they are employing tower wagons, integrated OHE wiring, impact wrenches, integrated OHE wiring and more.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1608018760202{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-font” css=”.vc_custom_1607679741658{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

PLANNING TO ADAPT TO A
\nNEW NORMAL<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5276″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1593953425002{margin-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]His responses are very precise as Vimal Chauhan addresses each of his issues at the Integrated Contract Package of Civil, Building and Track Works, Electrical and Mechanical Works, Signal and Telecom Works project for the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. \u201cI had five main challenges because of the pandemic,\u201d begins Vimal. \u201cSupplies were disrupted at site, labour had migrated, had to strictly follow the MHA guidelines that was affecting progress, required various approvals from our client (DFCCIL) including the RSDO approval for a Sleeper Plant. In addition, we had to inspect and source approvals of finished goods.\u201d<\/p>\n

To each of these challenges, Vimal has precisely planned mitigations. To streamline the supply of sleepers, approvals were fast-tracked by arranging for special permissions for labour migration and delegation of approval to DFCC officials instead of RDSO. \u201cThis was perhaps for the first time in DFCC that the supervision of the Sleeper Plant was delegated to DFCC officials that saved us considerable time in getting approvals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor depot readiness and welding 25 mtr rails into 250 m long rail panels, we deployed local workmen to increase productivity as the appointed agency was unable to mobilize,\u201d shares Vimal. \u201cDuring the lockdown, work at site had stopped leading to the non-availability of a blanket front of 8 km stretching from the Depot to Asaoti IR station, of which 1 km belonged to the Indian Railways, on their premises. We strategically targeted progress at the IR end, interfacing with them and finally, commissioned the connection of one km track, cumulatively completing 3 kms of the track in the process,\u201d shares Vimal, happy with his team\u2019s achievement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe developed local subcontractors and completed the Track Depot Construction in 3 months\u2019 time. The major construction works completed were 10 Fixed Gantry Foundations and their erection, approximately 1 km of Long Gantry Track Foundation, FBW setup foundations, etc.\u201d Review meetings with the client were all online to ensure timely approvals. \u201cWe took the lockdown as an opportunity to arrange for all pending MS\/Design approvals and received a one-time payment of Rs 36 Crore as COVID-19 Pandemic relief,\u201d he smiles in relief.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1607679636435{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5278″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Hailing from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Vimal is married to Shweta Singh, a homemaker and they are blessed with two children, son, Virat and daughter, Veera. Traveling and spending time with friends is how he fills his free time. \u201cCracking the IIT JEE exam has been my most memorable moment,\u201d he shares.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been a pleasure working with L&T,\u201d he proudly says in conclusion. \u201cIf there is one aspect about L&T, it is \u2018Adaptability\u2019 for there is no problem too big to solve or no target unachievable!\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image=”5280″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1607679629913{margin-top: 5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1593953457673{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1588222149363{padding-top: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”5282″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607435869346{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #4a85a3 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Pankul Agarwal<\/span><\/h3>\n

Construction Manager (ELEC), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]During his free time, Pankul Agarwal loves to compose poems but unfortunately during the lockdown he did not find the leisure for it and after the unlock he has been in overdrive trying to make up for lost time at his CTP-14, integrated railway construction project for DFCCIL. \u201cI head the Planning team for the electrical works worth some INR 600 Crores and I am responsible for 20 2×25 kV Power Supply Installations, 312 TKM Overhead Equipment (OHE) installation, relocation of electrical utilities and auxiliary power supplies,\u201d he shares, very matter-of-factly. Starting with a stint at the Dhamra Port project after joining L&T in 2008, Pankul has had two other assignments prior to his present one at the Panskura Kharagpur railway project and an augmentation railway project for BALCO.<\/p>\n

During and after the lockdown, his challenges at site were, \u201cre-mobilization of workmen, movement of staff at site, material inspection and procurement issues, the client\u2019s difficulty to accept the digital mode for approvals and of course,\u201d he adds, rolling his eyes, \u201cthe constant pressure to restart work, achieve progress and meet targets in the midst of the pandemic.\u201d While special buses were booked from Bihar to mobilize workmen, subcontractors and workmen were re-mobilized to start PSI & OHE works including mobilizing new agencies. \u201cAll electrical utilities, infringing the permanent construction of the bridge piles at BR 191H were cleared within 20 days working to a tight schedule,\u201d remarks Pankul.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnline material inspection was one of our major initiatives through which both domestic and imported material was inspected like Traction Transformers. It was used for the first time by the client in our project and succeeded,\u201d he smiles, \u201cand digitally certified work RFIs for invoicing using scanned signatures, email approvals and video calls for site\u00a0inspections.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”6801″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Material inspection was a tougher nut to crack for the team. The material to be inspected was in Japan, the client in India and the time difference was prolonging the process and escalating costs for both the manufacturer and L&T. \u201cFinally, we persuaded the manufacturer and consultant to decide on a time and arranged inspection from 5:30 am IST but the latter did not have computers at home, so we arranged laptops for the consultants.\u201d Pankul almost wipes his brow.<\/p>\n

Pankul is most impressed by the way L&T has stood by its employees during the pandemic and, at the same time, contributed handsomely to nation-building. \u201cWe are builders to the nation. We have stood by the nation,\u201d he declares.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607608205107{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5285″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1588223625281{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As Planning Manager at the Mauritius Metro Express project, G P Sujith\u2019s primary concern was how to regain momentum after a 57-day lockdown. \u201cWe had to return to normal at the earliest,\u201d he says with due agitation, \u201cby making resources available for site functions. As the works are dependent on local service providers like P&M and supply of construction materials such as RMC, TMT, etc., the major task was to get their confidence and support for these critical resources.\u201d Obviously, from a project perspective, it was vital for Sujith and his team to meet the budget targets for Q1. \u201cSince a month and a half had been a write-off, we had a lot of catching up to do,\u201d he says, eager to get rolling. \u201cScenario Planning was one of our new initiatives during these COVID times, looking at different permutations and combinations based on the possible outcomes to derive measures to achieve the target in all possible scenarios.\u201d<\/p>\n

A BIS scholar from IIT, Delhi, Sujith joined L&T as a site engineer in 2014 at the Hyderabad Metro Rail project and \u201clater I got the opportunity to join the planning department and eventually lead the Planning team for HMRL,\u201d he remarks with a smile, adding, \u201cthis project is a unique one too being executed from Track to Train to showcase our competency as a complete Rail Systems Integrator.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5284″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1607608329187{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”5286″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]During the lockdown, Sujith and team focused on advance completion of milestones that were not dependent on physical work. \u201cThis helped to keep our cost and invoice targets intact,\u201d he shares. \u201cVirtual meetings with service providers and operation\u00a0protocols had been streamlined prior to the unlock itself that helped the local vendors and suppliers to operate according to our SOPs immediately after the unlock. It helped to resume operations with them with minimum physical interaction by resorting to e-approvals, digital invoices from vendors and digital delivery challans.\u201d Parallel activities like use of precast elements for Pullpits, etc. were identified and initiated to save time and maintain execution timelines. \u201cWe had extensive discussions and negotiations with existing local P&M service providers & workmen sub-contractors to reduce costs. P&M hiring costs and sub-contractor margins were waived off for the duration of the lockdown and all assets were hired at rates much lesser than those of pre-COVID times that fetched significant savings,\u201d shares a satisfied Sujith.<\/p>\n

Sujith is proud of being associated with L&T because of the company\u2019s capability to successfully take and deliver massive projects.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607608370888{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-font” css=”.vc_custom_1607738826575{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF
\nTRAFFIC BLOCKS!<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607452420382{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #004a87 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

S Praveen<\/span><\/h3>\n

Construction Manager (Civil), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5289″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607930511669{margin-top: 15px !important;}”]At a railway electrification project, progress depends on traffic blocks and with train traffic at a standstill during the lockdown, the team at the Roha-Verna RE project used the blocks to the fullest extent possible to push forward with their construction. \u201cWe worked both day and night shifts, achieved a milestone of erecting 1,401 masts in just 20 days and managed to invoice INR 5.3 Crores,\u201d shares S Praveen, excitedly. Like at other projects, Praveen\u2019s project also suffered from a reduced workforce, but it gave the team the opportunity to mechanize the works, again finding opportunity in a problem. \u201cWe mounted the Ajax Fiori and excavator on the BFR to execute our excavation works like OHE mast grouting and foundation works mechanically,\u201d he informs. \u201cWe grouted around 1400 masts in 30 days achieving productivity of about 50 masts a day and another 10 OHE foundation castings per day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Success for the team however was not easy as they faced labour and logistic issues. \u201cMost of our workmen wanted to return to their native places but we tried our best to convince them to stay on the strength of our long relationship. Even those who stayed were not in a mood to work so driving them was a task,\u201d shares Praveen. Being a crosscountry job, the movement of workmen from one city to other was difficult during the lockdown but as Praveen highlights, \u201cour client (Konkan railway) helped us by approaching the respective district collectors to avail us the necessary passes for movement that went a long way in achieving progress.\u201d In line with the SOPs, workmen were divided into teams of 4-5 that worked separately without mingling with each other. \u201cWe even assigned our supervisors\/engineers to each team to ensure there was no inter-change or mixing of supervisors with other teams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Praveen recognizes CPM, Mr. Prashant Soni\u2019s leadership. \u201cHe motivated us to implement new work methodologies and pushed us to use machinery to mechanize the works.\u201d He mentions his team members Gouri Behera (OHE In-charge), Shlok Kewalaramani and Abhinav Sharma who were involved in managing the workmen and achieving all the milestones, setting new benchmarks in every activity even during this pandemic\u00a0situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs L&T, we have been able to withstand the present financial challenges,\u201d he says. \u201cWe have the capacity, the capability and with the support of the top management, we can implement new innovative ideas and we will emerge even stronger after this crisis,\u201d he states proudly.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5290″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607608418313{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_id=”ecc-font” css=”.vc_custom_1607608435475{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]<\/p>\n

LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607452929773{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #f55853 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Muralitharan Ayothi<\/span><\/h3>\n

Assistant Manager (Accounts), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5292″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1607680584001{margin-top: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]As project sites sought every which way to keep their employees and workmen safe from COVID infections, the primary responsibility to ensure safety fell on the shoulders of the Admin, Accounts and IR teams, as Muralitharan Ayothi says from his Mauritius Metro Express project. \u201cI am taking care of the entire administration activities like guest house, office administration, staff welfare and all other activities but our main aim as a project team has been to regain momentum after the 57-day lockdown and return to business as usual.\u201d He had to ensure that all the sites, offices, labour colony, and buses were disinfected. \u201cWe had pre-planned to buy equipment like sanitizers, Sodium Chloride liquid, infrared thermometers and all site offices were thoroughly briefed of the precautionary actions to be taken. As part of staff welfare, we even organised the daily essentials for all staff to avoid them visiting the supermarkets and shops,\u201d he adds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]\u2018Break the chain\u2019 is now globally accepted as a sure shot way to check COVID transmissions and although the client and most of his vendors insisted for virtual meetings, it was already part of Muralitharan\u2019s internal SOP 2. \u201cEven if we had to have face-to-face meetings, vendors prefer an isolated location with minimum participants. We also have a separate dedicated meeting room with limited access for the team for unavoidable physical meetings.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5294″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1607608521431{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Muralitharan praises their concerted effort to combat COVID-19 as a victory of teamwork. \u201cThe Project Director, Project Manager, Project Accountant and other departments have lent their complete support and even directed me to do things in a better way,\u201d he shares. \u201cWe discussed the way forward at group meetings and brain storming sessions during which valuable suggestions were thrown up and course-corrections made to help meet our targets as per plan.\u201d He specially mentions the Accounts & Administration team of Mr. Kishore Tarale, Mr. D. S. Raju, Mr. David Raju and Mr. Gajender Singh for their effort.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Muralitharan joined L&T in 2013 as an Executive in Accounts at the Shared Service Centre, Chennai from where he was transferred to the Ahmedabad Metro project in 2018. \u201cNow, at Mauritius, I have got the opportunity to work on an overseas project from December 2018 and I am loving the challenges,\u201d he says smilingly.<\/p>\n

Apart from his marriage and receiving a prize from the ex CM of Tamil Nadu, the late Dr. J. Jayalalitha, Muralitharan\u2019s most prized moment was the inauguration of the Mauritius Metro Phase 1 by the Prime Ministers of India and Mauritius.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5296″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607608542116{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5300″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\u201cIn the past, we have faced and solved several project-related issues, but problems caused by the pandemic have been most unique,\u201d says Rajesh Nath, from his Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project. \u201cWhat we have learnt is that we can succeed with determination, proper planning and by strictly following the proper rules.\u201d He can speak with a certain degree of authority as he has been handling a variety of functions like Accounts, Store Work, Time Office, and Industrial Relations ever since joining L&T in 2008. Rajesh particularly recalls the Bharuch-Dahej railway project. \u201cI worked from the start of the project in 2009 and was the last person to be transferred in 2015 after successfully closing the project and the site establishment.\u201d<\/p>\n

At Dhaka, his main challenges were to get everyone at site to strictly follow the SOPs and guidelines laid down by the Bangladeshi government and the company. \u201cWe had to search and finalize accommodation for the Bangladeshi staff to avoid travel,\u201d he begins to enumerate his list of responsibilities, \u201cquarantine the new staff and workmen, separate the negative and positive COVID cases, take care of the positive cases, arrange for PCR tests for everybody at site as mandated by the client, monitor the health of the workmen, distribute food and a lot more,\u201d he smiles. \u201cThe good thing is that all those who got infected were very well looked after and recovered which reinforced the workmen\u2019s faith and confidence in the company.\u201d<\/p>\n

The positive impact of Rajesh and his team\u2019s effort was that the site could resume operations immediately after the unlock. \u201cWe did some forward planning through several meetings and work is on in full swing now,\u201d he says enthusiastically. \u201cWe have started track linking work, concreting of OCS work, track work at the viaduct, erection of masts and more.\u201d During a crisis, everyone pitches in and Rajesh is happy that the project\u2019s fight against COVID-19 and subsequent resumption of activities have been the result of great teamwork. \u201cI have been fully supported and guided by my seniors, especially my Project Director and my Immediate Superior \u2013 the Site Admin Head and of course all my team members.\u201d He mentions WISA as a digital tool that has come in very handy for workmen screening.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1608090267629{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5298″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1608090281413{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607760500012{margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]\u201cI love L&T,\u201d he declares, \u201cbecause the company is ready to accept all challenges, where quality is appreciated, training is available to all and work procedure is systematic.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image=”6804″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1608090261731{margin-bottom: 5px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1592738910675{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”5304″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607454451049{margin-bottom: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #974f07 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Kanchan Kumar Panda<\/span><\/h3>\n

Assistant Manager (Stores), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Being in a foreign country during a crisis could be challenging for most as it was for Kanchan Panda at the Dhaka Metro Rail project CP07 in Bangladesh. \u201cDue to the breakdown caused by COVID-19, delivery of materials to site was nearly impossible,\u201d shares Kanchan, detailing some of his issues. \u201cThanks to our relentless efforts, we succeeded to store materials from 31 different shipments which were in transit to avoid a huge detention charge at the port, but I faced a lot of challenges due to the lockdown. Public transport was suspended and food for our workmen was not available. To operate at full speed while arranging for these necessities and yet following all the protocols to maintain safety was tough.\u201d He shakes head, recalling those testing days but smiles, \u201cI tried my best and was successful in achieving my objectives without any accidents, mishaps and, most importantly, without any COVID positive cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having joined L&T in 2011, Kanchan is already into his 4th project at Dhaka Metro after stints as Stores In-charge at the VLROB Project, Jharsuguda, the Singpur to Titalagarh, Railways Electrification Project and the CORE-DEE-JP-MADAR Electrification Project.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5305″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607680954055{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]\u201cDuring those difficult times, we were in constant touch with our client, our vendors and associates to sync all the measures being taken at site.\u201d He shares a personal triumph: \u201cDuring the lockdown, I successfully unloaded 1,500 trucks, trailers and vessels without any delays.\u201d At site, it was Kanchan\u2019s responsibility to provide all the equipment and PPE to the workmen and make them aware of the safety precautions to be taken to protect themselves from the pandemic. \u201cI arranged transport and food for all the workmen and operators at site,\u201d he adds. \u201cThe workmen usually share their food, but I ensured that they stopped that practice in the need for safety.\u201d Kanchan acknowledges the support he received at site to carry out his responsibilities. \u201cOur Project Director, Mr. Sunil Khattar and my reporting manager, Mr Supratim Dutta have always supported, encouraged and provided me with all my requirements to operate smoothly,\u201d he says sincerely.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607930557508{margin-top: 20px !important;}”]Kanchan\u2019s native place is the village of Koria in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. He is married to Paramita, a homemaker, they are blessed with a daughter, Priyanka and seeing the little one in her mother\u2019s lap for the first time has been the most cherished moment of Kanchan\u2019s life thus far. He spends his free time watching movies and reading.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1607681014984{margin-top: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607681509122{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}” el_id=”ecc-font”]<\/p>\n

\u201cOUR COMPANY HAS GREAT CREDIBILITY AND GOODWILL!\u201d<\/span><\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5309″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5310″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1607681397622{margin-top: 40px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;border-left-color: #bd9706 !important;border-left-style: solid !important;}”]<\/p>\n

Dhirendra Narayan Mishra<\/span><\/h3>\n

Assistant Officer (Administration), Railways SBG[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1608018628743{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;}”]One aspect about L&T that makes Dhirendra Mishra proud is that \u201cWhenever we visit any government office or private organization, they already know about L&T and this great credibility and goodwill has been earned by L&T over the years!\u201d In his role in the Administration team at the CP 204 railways project, Dhirendra needs to make frequent visits to such offices, more so during these times of the pandemic. \u201cThere was the problem of conveyance as both drivers and our staff were at risk and we had to visit the government offices to arrange for conveyance for the staff, mobilize workmen but all the while strictly following all the SOPs to keep all of us safe,\u201d he shares some of his specific COVID-19-related issues.<\/p>\n

For Dhirendra and his team, safety of the staff and workmen was priority, and they did everything in their power to streamline matters. \u201cWe spoke to the vendors and associates, promptly clearing all their dues so that there were no disputes,\u201d he says. \u201cDuring the first lockdown, all the staff were asked to work from home. All the guidelines and SOPs were shared, and we ensured that all transfers and people returning from home had to undergo 7 days of quarantine for which we set up quarantine facilities.\u201d He is extremely glad that all their effort has been worth it. Till date, we have had only 9 COVID positive cases and all have recovered, are healthy and have resumed duty,\u201d his is a smile of victory. \u201cWe controlled the spread of the decease,\u201d he asserts, \u201cand what\u2019s even more satisfying is that as a project team we have successfully achieved all our milestones.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dhirendra nods, saying that digital solutions have been very useful in their fight against the pandemic. \u201cWISA has been a huge help to enrol workmen and mark attendance,\u201d he says. \u201cWe track conveyance vehicles with GPS while Microsoft Teams enable us to attend meetings without traveling to places.\u201d He is very thankful to his seniors and colleagues who lent their whole-hearted support and help whenever he needed them.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5311″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]CP 204 is Dhirendra\u2019s second project with L&T having initially worked at the Reliance J3, Jamnagar project in LTHE IC Under Third Party Payroll as Admin Supervisor since joining in 2014. He hails from the village of Titlagarh in Odisha\u2019s district of Bolangir. Dhirendra\u2019s life partner is Kiranmayee Panda Mishra, a homemaker, they are blessed with a son, Dibyansh and spending quality time with them is what he holds dear to his heart. \u201cI like watching National Geographic but find very little time for it,\u201d he says, adding that he is very keen to do something for India\u2019s wildlife.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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