Page 9 - Construction

Govt saved 12% cost in awarding Dwarka Experssway project: Report

The government saved over 12 per cent in construction cost against estimates in awarding contracts of Urban Extension Road-II or Dwarka Expressway, and CAG findings that the cost was exorbitant are misplaced as the auditor did not factor in the actual cost, top sources in the road transport ministry said. According to reports, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had found that the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) decision to go for an elevated carriageway on the Haryana portion of the Dwarka Expressway pushed up the construction cost to Rs 251 crore per kilometre from Rs 18.2 crore per km estimated earlier. The audit report on the implementation of Phase-I of the 'Bharatmala Pariyojana' highway projects, triggered a political row with the opposition parties alleging corruption in the process of awarding the project. The ministry sources explained that all four packages of Dwarka Expressway were put for tender at an average civil cost of Rs 206.39 crore per kilomet

CM announces Rs 5 lakh aid to families of deceased in Maha's crane accident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday condoled the loss of lives in the tragic accident at Shahapur in Maharashtra and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased and an assistance of Rs 50,000 for the injured persons. Sixteen workers were killed and three injured as a crane fell on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Shahapur tehsil of Thane district on Tuesday, an official said. Three to five persons are still feared trapped and efforts are on to rescue them, an NDRF official said. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospital, he added. It was a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction and to install precast box girders in highway construction projects. The accident took place shortly after midnight on Tuesday near Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, around 80 km from Mumbai, the official said. The Prime Minister's Office in a tweet said, "Pained by the tragic mishap in

17 dead as crane falls on bridge at Samruddhi Expressway construction site

Seventeen workers were killed and three injured as a crane fell on a bridge slab during construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra's Thane district on Tuesday, an official said. A few persons are still feared trapped and efforts are on to rescue them, an NDRF official said. Three persons were injured in the incident and they were being treated at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital at Kalva in Thane, he said. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a tweet said he has ordered a probe into the incident by experts. He expressed grief over the death of workers in the accident. It was a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction and to install precast box girders in highway construction projects. The accident took place shortly after midnight on Tuesday near Sarlambe village in Shahapur tehsil, around 80 km from Mumbai, the official said. The Samruddhi Mahamarg, named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra

Ircon bags Rs 144 crore order from N F Railway Construction in Manipur

Ircon International Ltd on Monday said it has bagged orders worth Rs 144 crore from N F Railway Construction in Manipur. The company received the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from N F Railway Construction on July 17. In a regulatory filing, Ircon International Ltd (Ircon) said it has has been awarded the work for supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of integrated tunnel communication systems, optical fibre cable-based industrial grade network system. The laying of the optical fibre cables and other cables for the railway network will also cover tunnels and stations in the Jiribam-Khongsang section of the Jiribam-Imphal new railway line project. The Rs 144 crore-order, bagged through a competitive bidding, is to be completed within 365 days from the date of issuance of the LoA. Ircon, under the Ministry of Railways, is a leading turnkey construction company.

Contractor to be blacklisted in case of fatal accidents: Delhi's new rules

The Delhi government Tuesday issued new safety guidelines for construction sites, saying the contractor will be blacklisted in case of any accident leading to a loss of life, while administrative action will be initiated against officials too. The new safety guidelines come in the aftermath of two deaths at separate Public Works Department construction sites here. In an official circular, the Delhi government said there should be proper barricading and signages at construction sites and the contractor has to ensure no waterlogging. Administrative action will be taken against officials in case of any accident, it said. "In case of any accident leading to a loss of life on the construction site due to lack of safety protocol, the contractor shall be black-listed, an FIR shall be lodged and administrative action shall be initiated against the Engineer in-charge," according to an official circular. A labourer was electrocuted while working at an under-construction building on the prem

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Construction mkt shows positive outlook, tech enabling good returns: Survey

The Indian construction market exhibits a positive outlook with 84 per cent of respondents feeling optimistic about the sector compared to 66 per cent globally, a KPMG survey said on Friday. KPMG's Global Construction Survey said there is a sense of enthusiasm regarding the potential government funding, investment and incentives for significant infrastructure projects. "The survey findings exhibit a strong outlook for our Indian construction industry, driven by the government infrastructure stimulus, manufacturing incentives and private sector commitments. This is reflected in a significant proportion of our participants, indicating 20 per cent revenue growth or increase in capital investments in the next 12 months," KPMG in India, Partner, Major Projects Advisory and Industry 4.0, Suneel Vora said. Digital and innovative technologies are generating handsome returns on investment and generating real-time cost reductions, Vora added. The government's announcement of National ...

Under-construction building collapses in Delhi, many feared trapped

At least three people are feared trapped after two floors of an under-construction building collapsed in south Delhi's Ambedkar Nagar area on Thursday, police said. Rescue operations are underway. Police and Delhi Fire Services officials are at the spot. About 4.25 pm, the police received information about two floors of a building collapsing at J-Block, DDA Market, Dakshinpuri. At least three people are trapped in the debris, a senior police officer said. Fire services and police personnel are present and a rescue operation is underway, the officer said. Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg said five water tenders are at the spot. According to information from fire services personnel, the lintel of the fourth floor of the under-construction building gave way, resulting in a portion of the building collapsing, he said. Four to five people were trapped in the debris. However, one person has been rescued and a search operation is underway, Garg added.

CM Baghel reviews preparations for PM Modi's upcoming visit to Raipur

Chhattisgarh Police said that elaborate security arrangements have been made for the daylong visit of PM Modi scheduled on July 7

Cement industry production to grow 7-8%: Icra gives 'stable' outlook

The domestic cement industry is expected to have a volumetric growth of 7-8 per cent in FY24, helped by a rise in demand from the housing and infrastructure sector, a report by ICRA said on Monday, giving a 'stable' outlook for the sector. Besides, the softening of input costs would help the cement industry to improve its operating profits before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation by 14-18 per cent Year-on-Year (YoY) to Rs 900-950 per MT in FY24, it added. Moreover, supported by healthy demand prospects, the capacity addition in the cement industry is estimated at 63-69 million metric tonnes (MT) between FY24 and FY25. In this, a capacity worth around 33-36 million MT will be added in FY24 and around 30-33 million MT in FY25. "The cement capacity is expected to rise by 6 per cent in FY2024, the highest addition in the last five years," it said. ICRA has given a "stable" outlook for the cement sector. Steady demand from the housing and infrastructure sectors along with a

NHAI plans tunnel at Laxmi Dungri in Odisha's Sambalpur, receives Rs 37 cr

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) received Rs 37 crore for construction of a tunnel at Laxmi Dungri, a reserve forest in Sambalpur district, official sources said. The tunnel's objective is to check disruption of traffic movement due to landslides on NH-53 connecting Mumbai and Kolkata. Project Director, NHAI, Sambalpur, K. Nageswar Rao said the geotechnical survey for the construction of the tunnel is underway. Stating that the plan and design will be prepared once the survey is completed, Rao said the tunnel will be constructed on one section of the four-lane highway. If everything goes according to plan, work will commence by September, he said, adding that the primary objective of the tunnel is safety of passengers travelling on NH-53. Laxmi Dungri has experienced several landslides, which have impacted traffic movement on NH-53 since September 2007.

Road network grows 59% in 9 yrs to become second largest in world: Gadkari

India's road network grew 59 per cent to become the second largest in the world as part of the development work carried out by the government in the last nine years, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday. India's road network stood at 1,45,240 km today compared to 91,287 km in 2013-14, the Road, Transport and Highways Minister said. He was addressing a conference on '9 years achievements of government' in the national capital. In the last nine years, India made seven world records in the sector. India's road network is the second largest in the world after the US, he said. The minister further informed that the revenues from tolls rose to Rs 4,1342 crore from Rs 4,770 crore in 2013-14. The government aims to increase the toll revenue to Rs 1,30,000 crore by 2020, Gadkari said. The usage of fastags has helped in reducing the waiting time at the toll plazas to 47 seconds. The government is taking various measures to reduce it further to below 30 seconds, he noted.

Joshimath observes bandh to protest construction of Helang-Marwari bypass

The market in subsidence-hit Joshimath observed a bandh on Friday in protest against the resumption of the construction of the Helang-Marwari bypass. The bandh call was given by the Joshimath Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal which also carried out a protest rally in the town. Suspended temporarily on January 5 this year after the subsidence problem aggravated in Joshimath, construction of the road was resumed by the BRO on June 5. The construction of the strategically important road which goes to the China border had been suspended due to apprehensions that it could exacerbate the subsidence problem in the town. The road also is the only alternate route to Badrinath shrine. Traders from the town had on Thursday submitted a memorandum to the district administration saying that the construction of the bypass will "finish" their businesses and the entire Joshimath town.

Govt fund should not be used for building any statue, says Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said he was against erecting any statue using government funds. He also said people do not value things which are given for free. Gadkari was speaking in Nagpur at the ground-breaking ceremony for the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the premises of the Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). I welcome the move of the committee which is constructing the statue from the contribution given by the people. I feel that government funds should not be used for erecting the statue. People do not value things which are given for free, the BJP MP said. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak Samiti was formed in Nagpur in 2015 and the work, including obtaining necessary clearances and permissions, has been going on since then. Gadkari also announced to donate Rs 5 lakh to the works undertaken by this committee. Even if someone donates Rs 11 or Rs 51 for this work, it should be seen as the person's attachment to the work and teaching

Nearly 300,000 people to be affected after removal of pontoon bridge in UP

Around 3 lakh people from three districts of Uttar Pradesh will be affected after a pontoon bridge over the river Ramganga will be dismantled as part of an annual exercise here. Providing a vital link to 3 lakh people from the districts of Shahjahanpur, Budaun and Farrukhabad, the 115-metre-long pontoon bridge also known as the floating bridge has been an integral part of their lives. According to officials, the dismantling of the bridge is a precautionary measure keeping in view the coming monsoon season. Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Tribhuvan said the 115-metre-long pontoon bridge is a temporary arrangement, and the pontoon bridges are put over rivers after the rains and floods are over. The pontoon bridge at Kolaghat was also a temporary arrangement. Once the bridge is removed, people in Kalan tehsil of the district will have to cover 100 kilometre instead of the earlier 52 kilometre to reach the district headquarters here. "Around 3 lakh people will be

Himachal CM to ensure high-quality construction in new PWD projects

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday instructed the Public Works Department (PWD) officials to prioritise the construction of tunnels for new road projects to ensure high-quality construction. Sukhu, who presided over a review meeting with the PWD officials virtually from Shimla, also stressed the need for constructing ropeways in the state, a statement issued here said. He informed that after the formation of the new government in the state, projects for the construction of 62 roads with an outlay of Rs 336 crore have been sanctioned till now under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Moreover, the state government has sanctioned Rs 97 crore to decongest the circular road of Shimla city to facilitate the commuters, he added. Reviewing the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-3, he said that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 45 roads with an estimated cost of Rs 422 crore have been approved for the state a

Contractors cannot undertake shoddy construction using public money: HC

The Karnataka High Court has rejected the petition by a construction company seeking the return of the bank guarantee which was encashed by the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSPHIDC) for alleged shoddy construction of police quarters by the firm. The High Court also directed that engineers involved in shoddy constructions using public money be brought to book. Citing earlier Supreme Court judgements, the High Court said that bank guarantees were not for show and the corporation had done the right thing. "What would unmistakably emerge is that the Bank Guarantee is not furnished for it to be photo-framed and hung on the wall, it has a purpose. The purpose is redeemed by the Corporation and cannot be found fault with." PG Setty Construction Technology Pvt Ltd had approached the High Court after KSPHIDC encashed the bank guarantee of Rs 1,15,13,500 for allegedly shoddy construction of 144 police quarters in Mandya and Chamarajanagar district

Bihar bridge collapse: Govt sends show cause notice to construction firm

Taking a grim view of the bridge collapse incident two days ago, the Bihar government has slapped a show cause notice on the construction company concerned, a top official said on Tuesday. Pratyay Amrit, the Additional Chief Secretary for the road construction department, also said that the executive engineer concerned has been suspended. "The Haryana-based company, which was awarded the contract, has been served with a show cause notice by the Managing Director of Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam and asked to reply within 15 days", Amrit told PTI. The company has been asked to explain why it should not be blacklisted by the government and further action taken against it, he said. "The department has also suspended the executive engineer concerned for his failure to keep an eye on the quality of the work", added the Additional Chief Secretary. Constructed over the river Ganges, the bridge was supposed to link Bhagalpur and Khagaria districts. The under-construction bridge, a portion

State Scan: Uttar Pradesh to get new Vidhan Sabha building before 2027

The present Vidhan Sabha building, in heart of Lucknow, is nearly 100 years old. UP legislature is bicameral, with 2 houses comprising 403 members and 100 members, respectively

Sterlite Power uses helicopter to expedite construction of Mumbai Urja Marg

Sterlite Power on Wednesday said it has started aerial operations to expedite the construction of its flagship Mumbai Urja Marg Project (MUML). To fast-track the completion of 400kV transmission corridor connecting Padgha to Khargar, which links Mumbai to the national grid, Sterlite Power has proactively deployed lightweight helicopters to overcome the challenges of terrain and speed up material transfer, the transmission infrastructure developer and solutions provider said in a statement. The aerial operations will involve the movement of around 3,000 metric tonnes of various materials over a period of two months. The lightweight helicopter AS 350 B3 with a load-carrying capacity of up to 1000 kg per sortie will be pressed into service to transport heavy equipment and material across several locations in and around the Mumbai region. Manish Agarwal, Director & CEO India Transmission, Sterlite Power, said, " The aviation operation MUML is a proactive step forward on our part and .