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CONSTRUCTIONWEEK NEWS , ANALY SI S, PROJ E CTS & B U SI NE SS I NT E L L I G E N C E FO R T H E C O N S T R U CT I O N I N DU S T R Y

PUBLISHED BY ITP MEDIA (INDIA)

• AIRPORTS • ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT

BRAND WIDTH

Building on the trust his family name commands, Pirojsha Godrej, executive chairman, Godrej Properties, has done brisk business and successfully expanded operations to a dozen Indian cities

Total number of pages 76 VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 9 MAY 2018 • MUMBAI • `50

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CONTENTS

22 REALTY CHECK

Having established a strong brand pan-India, Pirojsha Godrej, executive chairman, and Mohit Malhotra, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, are giving competitors a serious run for their money.

32

12

NEWS Rs 8 trillion projects under Sagarmala in motion but funding remains challenge: ICRA.

32

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT Of course, India is building roads rapidly.

However, authorities need to offer clearer facts about the kind of equipment and technology being used.

44

65

AIRPORTS Development of new airports is seeing an emergence of new materials and designs.

65

EVENT REPORT: METRO RAIL INDIA SUMMIT 2018 For the 7th annual edition of the Metro Rail India Summit, leading minds from the core fraternity gathered to address the whys and hows of the new-age, technology-driven, urban transport industry.

For regular updates and subscriptions log on to

6 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

EDITOR’S NOTE

CONSTRUCTIONWEEK VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 09 • MAY 2018

Brands with Bite Jayashree Mendes

Mitalee Kurdekar

N

one of us are strangers to the realty story and how it has panned out over the past few years. Yet, while most real estate developers seemed to have embarked upon a slippery slope that seems to see no end, there are others who have not just managed to keep their head above the murky waters that make up the current Indian market, but are also swimming hard against the tide.

Although such names are few and far between, what is clear is that one such developer is leading the charge.

Godrej Properties has a historic reputation to deliver on its commitments, and is upholding it well. While many are shying away from residential projects, the Mumbaiheadquartered firm is going full steam ahead, merrily launching urban housing ventures on a country-wide scale. Under the astute leadership of Pirojsha Godrej and Mohit Malhotra, the company has grown by leaps and bounds, despite trying operating conditions in the recent past. In fact, it is using this time to consolidate its position, and how.

And we are certainly intrigued. Our cover story tracks the pan-India player’s journey over the years, and we discover exactly what makes it such a beloved brand to customers and a formidable competitor across geographies. No doubt such brands will prove to be a real inspiration to others in the market, with their story of brand building, brand enhancement and, more importantly, brand loyalty.

After all, Godrej Properties has been able to singlehandedly challenge its peers across the board, in the process, not just maintaining its brand reputation, but escalating its brand value in a systematic manner. With a soaring stock value and robust sales, here is one brand that has not lost its bite!

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at Indigo Press India Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 1C / 716, Off Dadoji Konddeo Cross Road, Between Sussex and Retiwala Ind. Estate, Byculla (East), Mumbai-400 027, India, India and published at ITP Media (India), Notan Plaza, 3rd floor, 898, Turner Road, Bandra (West), Mumbai - 400050, India EDITOR Jayashree Kini Mendes

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8 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Published by and © 2018 ITP Media (India) Private Limited RNI Registration No. MAHENG/2008/33387 MIB no. 10/51/2008

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Prof Dr Anil Sawhney Associate Dean, Director for School of Construction, RICS School of Built Environment

Ramesh Nair CEO & Country Head, JLL India

Brotin Banerjee MD & CEO, Tata Housing

Jayanand Potdar Chief Operating Officer, Godrej Properties

Karuna Gopal President, Foundation for Futuristic Cities

Lalit Kumar Jain CMD, Kumar Builders Development

Mangesh G Korgaonker Director General, NICMAR

Neeraj Bansal Partner & Head of Real Estate and Construction, KPMG India

Neeraj Jain Deputy Team Leader, Louis Berger Consultants

Neerav Parmar Head Contracts and Procurement, Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate

Niranjan Hirnandani Managing Director, Hiranandani Group of Companies

Sachin Sandhir Managing Director, RICS South Asia

Sarosh Bala Vice-President, Projects, EPC Academy, Reliance Industries

Sunil Mantri Chairman, Mantri Realty

Vikram Goel CEO, HDFC Realty

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NEWS

RS 8 TRILLION PROJECTS UNDER SAGARMALA IN MOTION BUT FUNDING REMAINS CHALLENGE: ICRA

F

und mobilisation is likely to remain a challenge under the Sagarmala project though 500 schemes worth Rs 8 lakh crore are currently being undertaken, ratings agency ICRA said.

The government under the Sagarmala project has set ambitious targets of port modernisation, port connectivity enhancement, port-linked industrialisation and coastal community development for phase-wise implementation until 2035. As per the Ministry of Shipping’s data, out of the 700 projects identified for execution, about 500 projects valued at about Rs 8,000 billion are in motion already and are at various stages of feasibility study/award process.

“While about 15-20% of the projects

ROAD MINISTRY PLANS DELHIMUMBAI EXPRESSWAY The government is working on a greenfield expressway between Delhi and Mumbai which would have a new alignment and pass through less developed areas falling in the region, Nitin Gadkari said.

“Instead of expanding lanes of existing highways, we are focusing on creating greenfield ones as the cost of land acquisition is lesser for a greenfield project that passes through comparatively lesser developed areas. The new alignment is being identified after which the cost will be decided,” the minister said. He said highway construction in the last fiscal exceeded that of the previous year by 20%.

12 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Of the 700 projects identified for execution, about 500 projects are in motion.

are already under implementation, the balance portion of the planned projects, are currently at feasibility study stage.

The business risk profile of major ports, in addition to their government

parentage, would benefit from the greater autonomy to decide financial matters and the flexibility to determine its tariff levels with the enactment of the Major Ports Authority Bill, 2016.

Highway construction hits record 10,000 km in FY18

C

onstruction of national highways in India hit a record 10,000km in the year ended March 31 after the government stepped up the pace of implementation and awarding contracts.

On average, 27.5km of highways were constructed every day in FY18, while contracts were awarded for an average 46km per day. The construction of 10,000km of national highways last year compares with 8,231km in FY17 and 4,260km (11km per day) in FY14.

Contracts were awarded for 17,000km in FY18 compared with 15,848km a year earlier and 3,169km (8km per day) in FY14. The total investment in constructing national highways by both the government and private investors was about Rs 1.5 lakh crore, of which almost Rs 1

lakh crore came from budgetary allocation, ploughing back of toll collections and borrowings by the NHAI. In FY19, the expenditure on national highways is likely to exceed Rs 2 lakh crore, of which about Rs 1 lakh crore will come from extra-budgetary resources (including NHAI borrowings and monetisation of existing national highways) and more than Rs 70,000 crore through budgetary grants and tolls.

The ministry implements its national highways development programme through NHAI, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) and state public works departments. NHAI has constructed more than 4,000km in FY18 and awarded 150 projects of 7,400km worth Rs 1.22 lakh crore.

Lysaght/KL/CWK/0518

NEWS

RINFRA BAGS 3 PACKAGES OF MUMBAI METRO LINE 4

R

eliance Infrastructure EPC has received the Letter of Award from MMRDA for three packages worth Rs 1,584 crore for the construction of Mumbai Metro for the North-South Metro-4 corridor, which will run between Kasarwadavali in Thane and Wadala.

RInfra had participated in the tender for EPC contracts for five packages in a joint venture with ASTALDI S.P.A, Italy.

The scope of work includes, part design and construction of elevated viaduct and elevated stations (excluding architectural finishing and pre-engineered steel roof structure of stations) of Line-4 corridor of Mumbai Metro Rail Project. This includes entry and exit structures of the stations.

“Our strong credentials in Metro works are borne out by the successful execution of Mumbai Metro Line-1 comprising 11.4km elevated viaduct, 11 elevated stations, Western Railway line crossing at Andheri and depot, which is one of the complex depots ever constructed,” said Arun Gupta, CEO, Reliance Infrastructure EPC. The consortium of RInfra and ASTALDI was awarded ‘Package-8’ on the Metro-4 corridor comprising 6.4km elevated viaduct, six elevated stations and two railway crossings, Package-10 comprising 6.7 km elevated viaduct and six elevated stations, and ‘Package 12’ comprising 6.8 km elevated viaduct and six stations on the same line.

ADANI FORAYS INTO ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

ACE ENTERS INTO MOU WITH URSUS S.A. FOR LOCALISATION

A

dani Group has forayed into transport infrastructure with a Rs 1,140-crore highway project won by a consortium led by its holding firm in Chhattisgarh from the NHAI. The Rs 1,140 crore project pertains to four-laning with paved shoulder of 53.3km stretch on Bilaspur-Pathrapali section of NH-111 in Chhattisgarh under Bharatmala Pariyojana on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM).

The company recently participated in tenders issued by NHAI under Bharatmala Pariyojana, and the company-led consortium has received a letter of award (LOA) from the NHAI for the project. The group would bring to use its expertise of setting up complex infrastructure projects in record time and to quality standards. The construction period for the project has been fixed as 730 days while operational period would be 15 years.

14 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

A

ction Construction Equipment Limited (ACE) has entered into a MoU with URSUS S.A., one of the pioneers and leading company in tractors, agricultural machinery and electric buses, for localisation of their range of tractors based on Massey Ferguson — URSUS Technology with the purpose of sourcing tractors and sub-assemblies from ACE and export to other parts of the world. The tractors manufactured with this technology will be branded as ACE-URSUS and will also be promoted and sold by ACE in the local market and the Indian sub-continent.

Sorab Agarwal, executive director, ACE said, “This memorandum will enable us and URSUS to deepen our cooperation for localising the special range of tractors which is based on Massey Ferguson technology. These tractors will be promoted and sold in the local Indian and sub-continent market.”

UNDER 60 SECONDS

A

ludecor, the pioneer of aluminium composite panels in India, launched 3mm fire rated ACP in the four metros.

Aludecor’s dealers were introduced to a product that can contribute towards preventing building fire casualties. ACP is a product that is used, not just for commercial exteriors, but for interiors and residential projects too. 80% of the ACP market in India belongs to 3mm ACP. By bringing affordable 3mm fire rated ACP in the market the company has played a crucial role in creating a fire-safe society. The fire rated 4mm ACP of Aludecor has been very popular with the big ticket high-rises for a long time.

The company arguably has an in-house palletising unit for producing the mineral core sandwiched between the two aluminium coils in an ACP. It’s the only Indian company to have in-house fire testing lab.

The company even has a baby line which produces mineral core on trial that is subjected to in-house tests; only after clearing these tests a batch is sent for final production. The R&D team has worked out fire rating for 3mm ACP that can be offered to the market at an affordable price.

COMMENT

MAKING BUILDINGS BEHAVE BETTER Anuj Puri believes that India can adopt green building construction practices if they put their mind to it.

The author is chairman, ANAROCK Property Consultants.

A

lthough sustainable real estate is still in a nascent stage in the country, India is actually one of the leading countries when it comes to green buildings development. In fact, India ranks second after the US in terms of the number of green technology projects. As of September 2017, more than 4,300 projects utilising green technology, accounting for approximately 4.7 bn sq-ft of built-up area, are registered in India as per data shared by IGBC. However, the country’s market for green buildings may reach up to 10 bn sq-ft by as early as 2022.

Why India needs green buildings ANAROCK’s research report Go Green-The Mantra for Sustainable Living explores the price we have paid for urbanisation. These have not only caused changes in our lifestyle and quality of life, but also led to a depletion of natural resources and has resulted in environmental degradation.

Real estate is a large consumer of natural resources (water, energy) and generates gargantuan amounts of pollutants. It alone ingests about 40% of natural raw materials, 25% of water and 35% energy resources. In addition, it emits 40% of wastes and 35% of greenhouse gases.

By adopting green building practices, it can reduce its negative ecological footprint and create a sustainable environment. Efforts involve the optimal use of natural resources, reduction and recycling of wastes, and reduced pollutant emissions.

The UEPA (US Environment Protection Agency) defines green building construction as the practice of using processes and technologies that are environmentally responsible and energy efficient throughout the building’s lifecycle. Green building construction technologies can reduce a building’s energy consumption by 20-30% and water con-

16 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

sumption by 30-50%.

Although the initial cost of constructing a green building can be relatively higher, the benefits such as low operating cost, better health and enhanced productivity makes sustainable real estate a longterm investment decision. Construction technologies being used across the world, are: Biomimicry, green roofs, vertical gardens and rain gardens, GFRG panels, cradle-to-cradle building design, and, use of ‘smart’ glass panes.

While green building practices are being adopted, there are challenges: • Many are unaware of green buildings’ benefits and perceive them to be financially unfeasible.

• Inadequate government policies • Developers go through a tedious process of approvals and are apprehensive of additional burden of green compliances.

• In the majority of cases, incentives are in the form of additional FAR, followed by a rebate on property tax. These are not enough to encourage largescale adoption of green buildings practices.

• The equipment and products used in construction involve a higher cost than conventional ones.

• Lack of skilled manpower and subject matter experts: In India, a majority of stakeholders from policymakers to architects, engineers, contractors and workers don’t possess adequate skills required for green buildings construction.

In India, the growth of green buildings can be accelerated through standardisation of norms, better incentive schemes, robust financial support system – and, most importantly, creating awareness among all stakeholders. Increased awareness about green buildings and their long-term benefits will surely boost the green buildings sector and lead to the faster expansion of this very vital market segment.

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COVER STORY

REALTY CHECK

Having established a strong brand pan-India, Pirojsha Godrej, executive chairman, and Mohit Malhotra, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, are giving competitors a serious run for their money.

BY MITALEE KURDEKAR

T

here is a lot that this dynamic duo has in common. While their similar working styles in terms of their analytical thinking and attention to detail are common knowledge by now, there is one quality that the men at the helm of affairs at Godrej Properties are best known for – and that is modesty beyond compare. However, even their unique brand of reticence cannot camouflage their sense of pride born of recent achievements. In fact, Pirojsha Godrej, executive chairman, and Mohit Malhotra, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, are both sporting wide grins when I meet them at the company’s Mumbai headquarters, the iconic Godrej One premises. And rightfully so.

After all, the pair has managed to achieve what most are only dreaming of in these trying times for Indian realty. The numbers are proof enough of this fact. The company has reported becoming India’s largest publicly listed developer by booking value over the past two years. Their FY18 Q3 results showed a 76% YoY growth in value of sales bookings, with their total booking value reported at Rs 1,220 crore. Similarly, even as other developers are battling with unsold inventory, in the first three quarters of FY18, Godrej Properties’ residential sales were reported to be higher than in any other period. Additionally, in the same time frame, the company has launched three projects with success; these are spread out across geographies – Noida, Mumbai and Bengaluru. As a result of these factors, the company’s share price too has soared.

“The company has obviously come a long way,” says Godrej. “When one considers most parameters – top line, bottom line, value of real estate sold, size of development portfolio – the company is more than 100 times the size it was when

22 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

I first joined in 2004. I am especially proud of the overall scale up of the company. We weren’t really amongst the leading real estate developers in the country at the time. We today are, certainly, in that sense. That’s been an achievement that the team and I are very proud of.”

Malhotra shares this opinion, stating that, although the company came into existence in 1990, it functioned more or less like a start-up for the first 15-20 years. “Post the IPO, there was a major change which started to emerge, and I would say that the real transformation happened when Pirojsha took charge in 2011-12. That’s when we really shifted gears, and if you look at the last five years, we have added close to 40 projects,” he states, reminiscing that when he joined in 2010, the company was averaging one new launch per year.

From then on, they have made a conscious and consistent effort to increase that number to five, then eight, until finally touching this year’s impressive figure.

SPREADING ITS WINGS The changing dynamics of the sector have obviously been a contributing factor to growth. As a matter of fact, the massive downturn that is being currently witnessed does not imply only bad news.

At least not for an organisation like Godrej Properties. Instead, it is actually helping create a lot of opportunities for them.

“The current weakness in market conditions is a great opportunity for us to add new projects to our portfolio. A lot of our new projects are actually partnerships with other developers. The process of consolidation is happening pretty rapidly in the sector, and it’s not that we are in any way immune to market conditions. Having said that, the current

PHOTOGRAPH: ASHISH BALLAL L-R: Pirojsha Godrej and Mohit Malhotra.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 23

COVER STORY

market conditions do present us with an opportunity to grow rapidly, because when markets are weak like this, when customers are hearing about developers defaulting on their obligations, there does tend to be a preference to work with only the stronger developers. Hence, for leading developers such as us, sales have been pretty strong. During the last financial year, our sales would have increased by over 150% over the previous financial year. However, I think our sales volumes, and especially prices, would be even better once market conditions improve,” reckons Godrej.

In the meanwhile, the company is embracing this opportunity that it has been presented with, on the business development side, by looking to partner with other developers that are looking for such associations. Godrej is of the opinion that having a land bank, as is typically the practice in the industry, doesn’t make much sense. Most companies that have big land banks, he argues, tend to have very poor returns on equity and capital employed, and often get into a liquidity crisis in difficult times.

Instead, he insists that their brand affords them the benefit of being able to attract a large number of land owners or other developers towards these kinds of partnership structures, a tactic that they intend to continue employing. In fact, Godrej admits that their role for now is to do their best to capture as much of the market as they can in this time. And the spate of project launches in the recent past is proof that they are following through on that mission, quite aggressively.

Interestingly, these projects are not limited by their nature.

Over the years, the company has undertaken all kinds of projects, from luxury to mid-market, stand-alone to township,

and – more importantly – has expanded its reach to a dozen regions in India. These include Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad, in the West; Kolkata in the East; NCR and Chandigarh, up North; as well as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and Mangalore in the South. Overall, Godrej Properties is presently developing projects spanning approximately 151 million sq-ft. While there have been a few commercial ventures, all of which were well-received, the focus has clearly been on the residential real estate segment, which also happens to be Godrej Properties’ forte.

HOME ADVANTAGE The company clearly prefers residential over commercial projects, mainly because they follow an asset-light strategy, and

THE CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS DO PRESENT US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW RAPIDLY. PIROJSHA GODREJ

The Trees, Godrej Properties’ flagship project in Vikhroli, Mumbai, will be a mixed-use development.

24 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

wec r e a t ea ne p i cp r o j e c tf o rt h ef u t u r ec i t y .

T her ea r enor es t r i c t i onsi ni ma gi ni ngt hef ut ur i s t i cf a c a des .

Anda tGl a s sWa l l , t hi si st het houghtt ha ti ns pi r eust odr ea m bi gger&t a k et hewor l dbys ur pr i s ewi t hea c ha ndev er y pr oj ec twedel i v er .

p r o j e c t: k i n g f i s h e rt o we r C l i e n t: p r e s t i g eg r o u p

COVER STORY

Godrej One, the company’s headquarters, is one of their many LEED Platinum ranked buildings.

TRACK RECORD Ongoing projects: 151 million sq-ft Number of completed projects: 21 Number of ongoing projects: 31 HELPING HANDS: Construction Contractors: L&T, Capacit’e Infraprojects, Tata Projects, etc.

Façade Contractors: Alufit and Chiniwalas BRANDS USED: Elevators: Schindler, Otis, KONE, Toshiba and Mitsubishi Aluminium: Jindal and Bhoruka Glass: Saint-Gobain and CSG Bath Fittings: American Standard, Roca and Jaquar Paints: Jotun, Asian and Sherwin-Williams Steel: JSW, ArcelorMittal and Tata Steel Cement: UltraTech, ACC and Ambuja Cement

residential is a self-liquidating asset. On commercial projects too, they have a clear strategy, to only build these if the location demands it. For instance, while they want to build another commercial structure in Vikhroli – Godrej Two, the company is largely working on a funding strategy wherein they are not required to invest too much capital. And this is not just strengthening their

26 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Sustainability of design and construction materials is a major factor in the creation of all projects.

REALM REALM

(P)LTD. LTD. INTERMEDIATES(P) INTERMEDIATES

COVER STORY

Although they have taken up only a few commercial ventures, these have seen success – such as Godrej BKC in Mumbai.

WE HAVE BEEN THE MOST AGGRESSIVE IN THE MARKET IN TERMS OF ADDING MORE PROJECTS TO OUR KITTY. MOHIT MALHOTRA balance sheet, but also their brand image among customers.

“It is a combination of multiple factors. First, we have been the most aggressive in the market in terms of adding more projects to our kitty, and that’s clearly one of our strengths. The second thing is the actual product development and design.

Again, that’s a unique strength which we have developed as an organisation,” informs Malhotra, elaborating on how they conduct a large-scale consumer study before commencing a project, thereby noting consumers’ pain points, in order to be able to design a product suited to the consumers’ preferences. He feels that this is in stark contrast to how the industry generally operates, and hence, has become their principal advantage.

“We have been doing a lot of work on improving the quality of the product we’re offering to try to differentiate ourselves from a design perspective as well as from a service offering perspective. It goes without saying that we’re working very hard to improve the capabilities of the organisation at various levels. But certainly, I think market conditions actually present us with a big opportunity and the combination of our strategy of not buying land, but doing more asset-light partnerships for land, being present in all the major real estate geographies in the country, and really focused on building a strong team, is

28 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Godrej Horizon, Pune, is made up of four towers, all IGBC Gold pre-certified.

paying dividends,” believes Godrej.

It is no wonder then that their flagship project – The Trees – in Vikhroli, Mumbai, has registered a phenomenal response since it was launched in 2015. The Trees is a mixed-use development, consisting of a residential aspect, a commercial district, and a Taj-branded hotel, which is being created in conjunction with Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris. The hotel is meant to house 150 rooms and suites, besides dining, entertainment, and conferencing amenities. Another extremely successful project has been Godrej Golf Links, a 100-acre township situated in the NCR region. The project is being constructed in phases, and 50% of the development has already been sold in less than a year.

Yet another plus is their real estate private equity business, Godrej Fund Management, which gives them the opportunity to grow, both as a direct private equity business and also to raise institutional capital to co-invest with Godrej Properties.

UNDER THE GREEN CANOPY A point of focused attention has been Godrej Properties’ emphasis on sustainable design. This is, of course, very much in keeping with the Godrej Group’s vision of ‘Good & Green’. In fact, environmental sustainability has been a major driver for the company, much before it became a catch phrase across the country. The company was rated the second-best developer in Asia and the fifth-best globally, in the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark Report 2016. Right from the choice of materials used to the design of their buildings, the sustainability angle is factored in during the preliminary stage itself.

As a rule, upcoming Godrej Properties’ buildings are third-party certified green structures, with their headquarters boasting a LEED Platinum ranking.

They also engage pre-qualified vendors, in order to encourage this movement. Moreover, the company is exploring technologies that can cut construction time by 50% and applying them based on the project in question. For example, they are setting up their first precast factory at the Godrej Golf Links site

COVER STORY

Godrej Garden City, in Ahmedabad, is the largest township in India to have received the IGBC’s Green Residential Society Platinum certification.

and have plans to replicate this model at other locations. over the chairmanship of the company and Malhotra assumed On the direction they plan to take for the future, Godrej offers, his current role. Godrej points out that he welcomes the trans“There is no one silver bullet. Of course, we benefit from our fer of responsibilities. As CEO for five years before taking on the strong brand. We’ve done a good job establishing ourselves chairmanship, he feels that he was able to really understand the in each of the key geographies from a real estate market perbusiness in depth. “I enjoyed that period, but, frankly, I believe spective. As a result, we’re now amongst the top three developMohit will be much stronger in driving this phase of growth as ers by value of real estate sold in all of the top four real estate CEO than I would have been. It also allows me the opportunity markets – Mumbai, NCR, Bengaluru and Pune. That’s a posito step back and really think about some of the long-term issues tion that other developers tend not to have as they are more facing us, and really partner with Mohit in getting our aspirations concentrated in a single market.” right and doing our best to then achieve them.”

As a result, the developer now wants to channel its resourc“When you’re making a transition like this, you wonder how es to consolidate its position in these four regions. it’s going to feel and how it’s going to work out, Around 80% of projects will continue to be a rebut I can quite confidently say that both for the sult of the joint venture model. Regardless of their business and for me personally, it has been a very chosen business model, the conditions sure seem fortuitous change,” admits Godrej. to be favouring them, with customers wholeheartWhat has not been unplanned though is the edly supporting them. steady growth that the company has witnessed to million sq-ft of ongoing development.

In fact, Godrej acknowledges that RERA too is get to where it is today. Malhotra makes it sound proving to be a big aid. “While it’s created a bit of simple, when he says, “You have to only listen to disruption and uncertainty in the short-term, the the market. Following that, our teams are empowbenefits arising from it in the longer term, however, are very ered enough to indulge in quick decision-making. This is bestrong. One of the big problems plaguing the sector has been cause, unlike some other companies that have one centre of that of certain companies not being able to live up to their cuscommand, we have a decentralised way of operating.” tomer commitments or perform in the right way, resulting in And they seem to be taking all the right decisions to propel the whole sector getting painted with that brush. Therefore, I themselves forward. As Godrej sums up, “There aren’t too many think what RERA particularly does, and to a lesser extent GST, companies in the world that have the opportunity of being a is that it really cleans up the sector and enforces governance leader in a leading industry in a leading country. It’s up to us to norms, thus giving consumers greater confidence in the sector. now execute well. Again, given the industry dynamics and the And what that will do over the longer term is also bring back competitive positioning we have, we are very excited for what’s strong demand to the sector,” he suggests about the transition. in store. We’re not looking to do 100 new things, instead remain focused on residential real estate in India. It presents a massive MOVING ON TO GREATNESS opportunity and our goal will be to do what we’re currently doing, Speaking of transitions, it has been a year now since Godrej took but at a much higher scale and with much better efficiencies.”

151

30 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR

MIND THE GAP

Of course, India is building roads rapidly. However, authorities need to offer clearer facts about the kind of equipment and technology being used.

BY JAYASHREE KINI MENDES

W

e are not denying that India is not building her infrastructure. Though late in the day, it is happening — slowly and steadily.

But the point that most city folk would like to know is: Where are these roads & highways actually coming up? Consider Mumbai alone. Travelling four kilometres to any place is not devoid of bumps and craters. The same applies to Bangalore and Chennai. However, one cannot say that about Delhi. This city had an advantage to build its infrastructure. It held the Commonwealth Games a few years ago, unlike others that have little land to spare to allow such a universal bonhomie.

Construction Week speaks to equipment makers offering high-end technology and tries to understand what’s on offer and why these are not so frequently deployed as citizens would like them to be.

32 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

MEETING DEMAND Roads, ports and electricity projects account for the lion’s share in the budgetary allocations of infrastructure development. Despite these allocations (they have been increasing each year), the commensurate work executed in these sectors seem dismal. India continues to lag in terms of development as compared to other countries who have built breathtaking infrastructure specifically considering that they are smaller in size and became independent years after India received hers.

It is actually difficult to pinpoint the root cause of this attitude. But most contracting companies and road building equipment manufacturers prefer to put this behind them and instead focus on the now and here.

Construction of roads both rural and urban is a priority for the government. While many road construction machines

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ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR

FOR REHABILITATION, WE HAVE ALL THE EQUIPMENT USED IN MAKING ROADS AT THE PAVING LEVEL. RAMESH PALAGIRI are available, they are better suited to the needs of the bigger companies dealing in large long-term projects. When it comes to the small and medium players, the huge machines are not only expensive but also ill-suited for most parts of rural India and the small size of projects at hand.

Speaking of how his company deals with delivering some of the most demanding equipment to the contracting companies, Ramesh Palagiri, MD & CEO, Wirtgen India, says, “Though use of advanced road building machines play a critical role in constructing roads – whether from asphalt or concrete – what is more important is the production of an excellently bonded pavement structure, which begins with a stable base layer and goes all the way to a precisely levelled surface course. Wirtgen is equipped for both concrete and asphalt roads. In terms of road rehabilitation, we have all the equipment that are used in making concrete roads and asphalt roads at the paving level.”

Recently, Wirtgen announced five Indian launches: the

large milling machine W 195, the small milling machines W 50 H, W 55 H, W 120 R and the slipform paver SP 62.

VÖGELE presented the new SUPER 1400 and SUPER 1403 – true all-Indian road pavers for pave widths up to 7.3m whereas Hamm showcased its compactor 3520, compactor 311 and the compactor 311 D with additionally powered drum. Also, Kleemann exhibited three products from the EVO line: mobile jaw crusher MOBICAT MC 110 Z EVO, mobile cone crusher MOBICONE MCO 9 EVO and mobile screening plant MOBISCREEN MS 703 EVO. “Apart from these, we showcased futuristic technologies which are going to come to India soon. We displayed duallayer concrete paving technology which is advantageous in both economic and technical terms. We have also exhibited VÖGELE RoadScan, a contactless temperature-measurement system, makes paving quality measurable and verifiable,” added Palagiri.

OUR MOST ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ARE WELL SUITED FOR HEAVY DUTY APPLICATIONS. ABHIJIT GUPTA

CASE graders have an option of attachments/accessories that are quite novel.

34 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR KYB-CONMAT SETS NEW TRACK RECORD

Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir is the world’s tallest temple under construction at Vrindavan, Mathura. At a cost of Rs 300 crore, it will be one of the most expensively built temples in world by ISKCON Bangalore. The temple has a footprint of about five acres and rises to a height of about 700 feet (213m or 70 floors) and a built-up area of 5,40,000 sq-ft.

The team at KYB-Conmat is proud to be associated with one of the most prestigious projects, which will soon be the pride of nation. The stationary concrete batching plant CRP-900 IL5 is used by VCM. The project is not conventional. It is carved, circular and three-dimensional which makes it quite challenging, considering that this kind of architecture is being explored for the first time in India.

“It is an international level project with beautiful architecture and we are proud to be connected with them. The VCM team felt this was challenging and were looking for a concrete partner who could commit and perform as per their expectations. The fact that we have multiple other machines besides concrete batching plants and transit mixers worked in our favour. The contracting team felt that with our kind of equipment and workforce, they could save time and money,” said Sailaj Verma senior VP, sales, KYB-Conmat.

The VCM team along with the project manager arrived from Mathura to KYB-Conmat’s head office at Vadodara to understand the process as they wanted to produce a special type of concrete for the temple called SCC (self compacting concrete) which is a highly flowable, nonsegregating concrete that can spread into place, fill the formwork and encapsulate the reinforcement without any mechanical consolidation. It was only after they were convinced that the temple team placed an order for procuring 90m3/hour batching plant from KYB Conmat, a Japanese-Indian firm. Another order for three transit mixers of 7m3 capacity has also been placed.

“KYB-Conmat products are reliable and they also offer superior service, and are versatile . With a backup of good after-sales service and easy availability of spare parts, it made sense for us to use their machines for the construction of a notable temple in the world,” said Abhishek Prakash, project manager, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir.

36 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

The ever-demanding market requires products that can be used for multiple tasks. This allows customers to be more cost-effective and eventually profitable. It is the constant endeavour of equipment makers to deliver exactly to the need of customers and for this purpose make products that are versatile through various attachments and accessories. Abhijit Gupta, brand leader, CASE India, says, “The CASE graders, for example, have an option of attachments and accessories like front counterweight, ripper, scarifier, front push plate (in two variants), front dozer blade, rear pull hook and a lot many more options. CASE India offers the most advanced technological products which are well suited for heavy duty applications. For example, the reinforcement plates on backhoe boom, the heavy duty tyres, axle and buckets all add to the machines relevance in heavy duty applications. The soil compactors have heavy duty hydraulic components and drums of 32mm thickness that are best-in-class and suitable for heavy applications. We emphasise on continuous product development to improve equipment’s performance, operator comfort, boost productivity and increase fuel-efficiency.”

Productivity remains the single biggest focus for road building contractors. As the government of India looks to raise road building levels from the 23km a day to closer to 40km a day the implications are clear. India needs new equipment to handle the increased targets and not only that, the equipment has to offer higher levels of output and better reliability. Dimitrov Krishnan, vice-president and head, Volvo CE India, says, “Two years ago, we launched the EC210D crawler excavator, which has gained a strong reputation for high performance output in the most demanding of heavy duty applications but is equally at home on general construc-

OUR EC210D CRAWLER EXCAVATOR IS REPUTED FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE OUTPUT AND ALSO GENERAL CONSTRUCTION. DIMITROV KRISHNAN

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR

tion duties. As a result, the EC210D has been delivered into some very large quarries, and also joined the equipment fleet of larger contractors, who seek all-round performance from their equipment.”

Its latest product for the road building industry is the P5320ABG paver which is manufactured at its plant in Bangalore. The paving quality of any road is defined by the ability of the paver to satisfy three requirements in line with the highway design: mat thickness, level of the mat, and the grade required. Regular pavers without sensors simply follow the undulations of the road base and are therefore unable to give a smooth finish to a paved surface. But sensor pavers have intelligent operating technology that delivers on these three requirements.

Two of the sensor paver models available in India are the

WE ARE FINE-TUNING NEW PLATFORMS FOR THE 2023 PRODUCT LAUNCHES CATERING TO OBD C & OFF-ROAD VEHICLES. ASHWATH RAM

Volvo CE has been at the forefront of innovations and launches last few years.

38 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Schwing Stetter has deployed its batching plants at some demanding projects and sites.

P4370B ABG and the P5320B ABG, both made at Volvo’s plant in Bangalore. The P4370B ABG is a wheeled sensor paver powered by an 88 kW engine and it has a basic paving width of 2.5m. It can deliver a paving output of 600 tonnes per hour. The P5320B ABG is a tracked sensor paver powered by an 88kW engine. This high power is delivered with minimal noise and low fuel consumption. The P5320B ABG also has a paving output of 600 tonnes per hour and a longer basic paving width of 4.75m. Both machines have maximum paving widths of 7m.

Communication between machines will most likely change the way humans are required to operate the machine. Machine to machine communication will reduce the onsite human interactions while increasing efficiency and safety on the sites. While it is already happening in developed nations, India still has to go a long way to go to utilise this kind of technology given the current lack of connectivity infrastructure in rural parts of India. There is no doubt that customisation is key when it comes to the world of development. Customisations have to be in sync with the market and on-ground realities.

A key partner to most of the equipment makers is Cummins. In India, Cummins has been partnering with the construction equipment industry for over five decades. Since starting operations in India in 1962, Cummins has produced over 20,00,000 engines for the domestic market. Ashwath Ram, VP, engine business, Cummins India ABO, says, “We have introduced many new platforms last few years. This year is an intermediate year between change of emissions norms and our primary focus is on introducing new products for BSVI in 2020 and CEV BSIV in October of the same year.

We are also fine-tuning new platforms for the 2023 year prod-

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR

Cummins supplies engines to most Indian construction equipment makers.

uct launches catering to OBD C and the off-road construction vehicle norms. In parallel we are investing heavily in alternate fuels and battery technology and will have some products for demonstration in markets such as the fork lift industry.”

Noise vibration and harshness (NVH) are always important to customers and will become more important in the future. Cummins has made large investments in technology and testing capability to measure these values. Cummins has also invested heavily in material sciences and engineering to ensure low sound output from the engine systems. As the needs of customers become tighter, Cummins has the technology to meet their needs. Some engines will have to be tweaked to meet the requirements of particular market segments, added Ram. In terms of delivery, Schwing Stetter’s two Stetter M2.5 concrete batching plant worked nonstop to produce a total volume of 6750m3 of pavement quality concrete in a single

working day. Schwing Stetter helped five contracting companies that were working on the 135km first green smart Eastern Peripheral Expressway to decongest Delhi. A total of 83 concreting equipment, 19 Stetter batching plants along with 5 Stetter chilling plants, 47 Stetter transit mixers of various capacities ranging from 6m3 to 10m3, 10 Schwing stationary concrete pumps and 6 Schwing truck mounted concrete boom pumps were at action to batch mix, transport, pour and place concrete in the Expressway with a record breaking in 18 months. The initiative has 8 interchanges, 46 bridges, 151 pedestrian trails, 141 culverts, 4 flyovers, 71 vehicle underpasses, and 8 RoBs—of which two major bridges on the rivers Yamuna and Hindon were built with concrete using Schwing Stetter India equipment.

The overall sophisticated kind of equipment that makers are bringing to the market only tells that they are ready so that roads in India can be better built.

The operator-friendly console of the RoadMaster provides SMS service so that the owner can track the machine’s location and fuel consumption.

40 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

ROAD BUILDING EQUIPMENT & ROAD REPAIR

MB CRUSHER EXPANDS PORTFOLIO IN INDIA

The MB-R800.

The MB-R500.

Already holding a complete range of crushing and screening buckets in the world, MB Crusher expands its portfolio offering in the Indian market by introducing a new category, intended to represent the new production icon: Hydraulic Drum-Cutters MB-R. Available in four models, for excavators and loaders from 3-35 tonnes, they turn any equipment into a real milling machine, further enhancing the utility of the same.

On the back of the constant pursuit of Italian manufacturing excellence, and the unwavering use of highest quality raw materials, MB-R drum-cutters offer unparalleled durability, irrespective of work hours and extreme working conditions.

The new MB-R Drum-cutter grinds particularly resistant and tough materials, such as fragmented rocks, but it can also work on soft materials, such as asphalt or wall coverings, performing with extreme accuracy.

It simplifies excavation operations especially where the subsoil is particularly resistant. It digs the trenches necessary for pipe laying and it restores the banks of rivers and streams with speed and precision. It can be used underwater too. The biggest model MB-R900 has application for excavators up to 35 tonne, is particularly suitable for trenching, levelling and repairing road surfaces. It grants excellent results in surface profiling and tunnels excavations, allowing materials to be immediately re-used on site.

The smallest model MB-R500, weights only 300kg. Its reduced size makes it ideal for applications in urban areas and confined construction sites, especially those that require precision. It works easily in city centres, where vibrations and noises must be contained.

42 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

The MB-R700.

On all four available models, drums can be replaced on site by operators in less than an hour, without the need to take it to a specialised workshop. MB-R drum-cutter range comes with a full or low set drum head kit, with different pick configuration sets, enabling pertinent adaptation based on the material to grind and work to be executed.

Extremely compact and specifically designed with a low center of gravity to significantly improve the overall balance.

The only one in the world with the patented system—direct drive twin motor—which distributes a selected force into the two drum heads.

In case of materials with different hardness, MB-R drum cutters mould by using a proportional force depending on the material tenacity, increasing stability and reducing stress on the excavator arm.

“MB India team is proud to show to Indian customers the strengths and cutting-edge technological characteristics of these new products, designed to be innovative and handy,” says Piero Guizzetti, CEO, MB India.

AIRPORTS

GAINING ALTITUDE Development of new airports is seeing an emergence of new materials and designs.

BY TEAM CW

44 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

AIRPORTS

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 45

AIRPORTS

W

hen the government launched the UDANRCS (regional connectivity scheme), it gave hope to millions of Indians who always wanted to fly, but could not afford to. The scheme has two components, of which the main component was to develop new and enhance existing ones thus increasing the number of operational ones. This spelt good news to the common man and also to the numerous companies who cater mainly to the development and construction of airports.

Explaining the intricacies of what constitutes an airport, Ajay Rattan, GM, sales, construction & engineering LYSAGHT business, Tata Bluescope Steel, says, “Airports are no longer

mere transportation hubs; they are iconic in terms of transit experiences for a traveller, a landmark for the city dweller and modern architectural expression of a progressive country. The requirements of this sector are both complex and unique. A geometrical design or shape of a contemporary airport structure determines the complexity of the project. More and more architects today opt for non-conventional shapes that ensure more open spaces and aesthetics.”

Modern airports are getting smarter, and not just bigger. Airports too need to improve profitability and for this reason are

A GEOMETRICAL DESIGN OR A CONTEMPORARY STRUCTURE DETERMINES THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT. AJAY RATTAN

Profiles made from COLORBOND steel are corrosion resistant and thermally efficient.

Tata Bluescope Steel’s LYSAGHT offers improved strength, design flexibility, aesthetics and durability and are ideal for modern airport structures.

46 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

AIRPORTS

WITH OUR SMART AND CONNECTED PRODUCTS WE CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IDEAL FOR PASSENGERS. ANUJ DHIR

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting range of ensures that the lux levels are adequate at every point of an airport.

being driven towards operational efficiency and cost reduction.

Considering that most airports around the world face capacity constraints, the best way is to introduce new technologies to improve efficiencies.

Some of the technologies that are fast becoming part of the civil aviation ecosystem are the Internet of Things (IoT), automation, big data, robots, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, and all this along with integrated data collection and better real-time communications channels. Technologies will not only safeguard airports, but what the authorities need to do is make the most of them and put in place processes that will simplify and speed up collaboration within aviation communities.

In terms of automation, the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) has introduced surface surveillance software to act as the eyes of the control centre. The software provides real time data on position of aircraft and terminal area movements on the twin runways at the airport. Commissioned in March, the Surface Awareness and Guidance at Airport or SAGA developed by France-based ALTYS Technologies has helped improve reaction time to any emergency at the airport.

BUILD THEM BETTER In terms of development and construction of airports, the emergence of new and novel materials is also leading to construction of iconic airport buildings and infrastructure. Anuj Dhir, VP & business head, Wipro Commercial Lighting Busi-

48 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

ness, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, says, “Through our platform of Internet of Lighting (IoL), we offer solutions to enable a good experience for the passengers. With our Smart and Connected range of products we can create an environment ideal for passengers in the various zones inside and outside the airport. Good illumination impacts the airport operations, security and brand of the airport.”

Most airports today have modern facilities. For instance, Singapore’s Changi airport is putting in place a Jewel façade that will use more than 9,000 pieces of glass with each one specially manufactured. The façade will also feature more than 18,000 pieces of steel beams and over 6,000 steel nodes. Given the unique measurements of each glass panel, the installation process warrants precise coordination to ensure that each panel is fitted into the correct ‘grid’ placement that it is planned for.

Huge urbanisation potential, relatively young population and increasing educational opportunities will continue the India growth story for years to come. Large metro cities would continue to rise higher, while rapid growth in smaller towns would transform them into new large cities of tomorrow. One elevator company that has been an active partner in several prestigious infrastructure projects in India is Schindler. It has played a key role in the MIAL’s T2, the Chennai International Airport, the Delhi Airport Metro, and the Kolkata International Airport. In an interview earlier to Construction Week, Uday Kulkarni, president, Schindler – India & South Asia, had said that the company is a pioneer in developing and applying sustainable technologies for clean urban mobility solutions. To improve energy efficiency, Schindler uses materials that have a lower environmental impact and can be disposed in an ecologically sound manner. The development of much lighter components has resulted in fur-

AIRPORTS

Space optimisation is a big consideration while planning the architecture to house all elements of public utility arenas.

ther energy savings.

Dhir of Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting says, “Lighting for land side includes airport approach road lighting with SkylineLED, landscape lighting with our premium Whistling LED bollards and UrbanoLED pathways. These bring out the outdoor architectural element enhanced. We also have Smart Outdoor solutions through which we can control the lux levels, energy consumption patterns, metering and scheduling as per the traffic conditions. For airport parking areas, our surface/pendant mounted totally enclosed CapsuleLED luminaire can be used.”

For bigger infrastructure projects, it is imperative to pay attention rising operational costs and energy efficiency. Wipro’s Power over Ethernet (PoE) based lighting solutions for offered under the brand identity of Internet of Lighting (IoL)M provide for smart & connected, effective space management and utilisation, enables system integration with performance tracking and study of analytics for system improvisation for in-airport usage. Smart & connected outdoors can be achieved through lighting on smart poles with WiFi connectivity, smart screens, public address arrangement, motion sensors, CCTV cameras, weather sensors etc.

Rattan of Tata Bluescope Steel says, “Over the years, airport structures have evolved and are known for their immense focus on design innovations and aesthetic appeal. Add to its longevity, unmatched quality and unique construction methods, this revolutionary aspect of technology-aided design creation, makes it possible to construct the exact form and dimension conceptualized by the architect. LYSAGHT profiles offer design flexibility for those seeking signature styled architecture, not limiting ones imagination. Roofing installations for airport terminals or hangars call for working at heights that are practically impossible to reach without a sound safety system.

50 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Tata BlueScope Steel’s well-trained team of experts ensure world class safety practices on site while installation is in progress.”

Space optimisation is one the biggest consideration while planning the architecture to house all elements of public utility arenas. Structural performance that adequately supports wind load, elevation, long spans too is of vital concern. It is also important to introduce new technologies that address tropical atmospheric conditions of our country which come with different challenges as compared to other countries.

Tata BlueScope Steel’s Building Products division offers specialised requirements of B2B sector and have been at the forefront of introducing solutions that cater to these complex demands through its Brand LYSAGHT. Due to its improved strength, design flexibility, aesthetics and durability, LYSAGHT‘s advanced roofing solutions are ideal for modern, architecturally superior airport structures. Profiles made from COLORBOND steel are corrosion resistant, thermally efficient and available in a wide range of colours with high SRI values. Meeting extreme engineering, challenging construction and design requirements, LYSAGHT FLEX-LOK 400 system is highly recommended for this segment. The profile is available in tapered, concave and convex curved shaped profiles, crafting roofs with outstanding performance and pleasing aesthetics. Moreover, being a concealed fixed roofing system it helps provide weather tightness and superior resistance to wind uplift, extremely critical for the hangars pitched near the runways. It is the most recommended roof systems for tropical, rainy, snowy or high wind (cyclonic) regions.

Many sustainable aspects are kept in mind before designing an airport. Major airports have been re-designed to ensure they adhere to the highest international standards of sustainability.

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STEEL

Interior of the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Indoor Stadium, Mumbai, which was designed by SPA with column-free spans of over 50 mts.

STEEL BUILDINGS

MADE OF STEEL

Steel has always been a popular construction material owing to its many merits, but is now gaining further recognition as developers turn to steel buildings for construction.

BY BINDU GOPAL RAO

S

teel is the ideal construction medium for warehouses and other industrial buildings for a variety of reasons. In addition to being economical and durable, steel also provides the simplest solution for building designs requiring large expanses of open space as well as significant design flexibility.

Under the Government’s Housing for All by 2022 scheme, an estimated 20 million houses need to be constructed, which is definitely going to take much longer to do by conventional processes. Hence, it is imperative that innovative methods are adopted to accelerate the construction process, and PEB may be the need of the hour.

NEW VISTAS Naturally, there are several advantages of steel buildings over conventional construction processes. Firstly, of course, these are materials that can be made off-site. This can help speed up construction time up to 50%, as compared to traditional methods. PK Nagarajan, CEO, Tiger Steel Engineering (India), says, “PEB integrates all activities from design, fabrication, logistics and installation under one agency, and PEB

52 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

WE HAVE INTRODUCED INTERARCH LIFE, A LIFESTYLE CONCEPT FOR DEVELOPING MODERN AND ELEGANT INFRASTRUCTURE IN STEEL. GAUTAM SURI structures are 25-30% lighter in weight due to use of tapered sections as well as high-strength steel, ensuring optimisation of steel usage compared to conventional buildings. PEB components are manufactured in factory-controlled conditions, and are of superior quality and accurate, making the erection of buildings simpler. PEB can be expanded both

STEEL

The masterplan for the Embassy Industrial Park at Chakan, Pune.

A SHIFT TO STEEL STRUCTURES WILL HALVE THE COMPLETION TIME WITH EFFICIENCY. ANSHUL SINGHAL width-wise and length-wise to meet clients’ future expansion needs.”

With a clear emphasis on affordable housing, adoption of steel skeleton frame works either in PEB or LGS (Light Gauge Steel) with walls made out of light-weight insulated panels in cement fibre boards can bring about a dramatic turnaround in the construction cost and time. Gautam Suri, CTO & founder director, Interarch Building Products, states, “We have introduced Interarch LIFE, a lifestyle concept for developing modern and elegant infrastructure in steel. Interarch LIFE is focused on enhancing lifestyle, and creating state-of-the-art facilities and amenities in steel construction, and uses the latest technology for turnkey construction of steel buildings for rural and urban development in India.

It provides a customised structural steel system for nonindustrial pre-engineered buildings, and offers engineering and design pre-engineered steel building solutions from concept to completion. We undertake innovation in engineering, and strive to go beyond the realm of conventional

construction with our team of leading engineers, quality manufacturing and efficient project-handling capabilities.”

DEMAND DRIVERS Till a few years ago, India was the third largest producer of raw steel. Several renowned architects and developers have often said that India’s massive construction sector must increase the use of structural steel to accelerate the development of commercial and residential complexes, while retaining the indigenous cultural appearances. “The construction sector should consider using pre-engineered steel components in accelerating the development process of new buildings as well as fabricated steel for plants. A shift from the concrete-based conventional method of constructing buildings to steel structures will halve the completion time with efficiency. The industry needs to ensure that the penetration of steel in commercial, residential and industrial construction increases overall. The only way that this can increase is, if the policy framework at a government level ensures that by using steel you get a faster track construction,” opines Anshul Singhal, CEO, Embassy Industrial Parks.

Steel is a highly durable metal. It can withstand a considerable amount of external pressure. Hence, steel structures are earthquake-resistant, whereas concrete structures are brittle. Concrete is not as resistant as steel. “It is only because of this advantage that we were able to design structures such as the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Indoor stadium with column-free spans of over 50 mts, and the Wankhede Stadium without a single column obstructing the vision of the spectators. In addition, steel buildings are lighter than RCC structures and, hence, could possibly reduce the foundation cost and column sizes in certain

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 53

STEEL

cases. Steel buildings are super-quick to build on site once the members are fabricated and, hence, popular when the members are fabricated in the factory and assembled on site. Steel buildings are also better resistant to wind and earthquake forces and, therefore, are popular for designing ultra high-rise buildings,” says Amol Prabhu, partner, Shashi Prabhu & Associates (SPA).

STAYING SAFE Safety is of utmost importance in any structurally-engineered project. Steel has a vital, if not essential role, in this big transformation. By using steel technology with the

STEEL BUILDINGS COULD POSSIBLY REDUCE THE FOUNDATION COST AND COLUMN SIZES IN CERTAIN CASES. AMOL PRABHU

combined knowledge of high precision engineering, it is possible to deliver a 5,00,000 sq-ft warehouse in under 10 months, which can ensure that the business model is viable because of early rental revenue due to faster occupancy.

“The conventional construction technologies – non-steel – make it hard to unlock returns on your capital investment due to time constraints, unpredictability and cost escalations which impair business models. Due to the presence of organised re-engineering companies in India, we can fix a lump-sum building price and guarantee back-to-back rentals to our customers. Steel is a highly durable metal. It can withstand a considerable amount of external pressure.

Hence, steel structures are earthquake resistant, whereas concrete structures are brittle. Concrete is not as resistant as steel. Steel structures have a good load-carrying capacity unlike concrete structures, which have a low load-carrying capacity. Lastly, steel structures are easy to transport as they are lightweight. Steel structure construction is a safe option; there are no health hazards of using steel structures in construction,” says Singhal.

Designers need to be educated on the key aspects of fireproofing of steel structures, since steel members typically fail at much lesser temperature than the RCC members.

“Therefore, designers need to understand the fundamentals of fire safety and fire-proofing to ensure safe evacuation of people from steel buildings, in case of fire. One of the biggest challenges faced by contractors during erection of steel-

The Wankhede Stadium was constructed by SPA without a single column obstructing the vision of the spectators.

54 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

STEEL

PEB CAN BE EXPANDED BOTH WIDTH-WISE AND LENGTH-WISE TO MEET CLIENTS’ FUTURE EXPANSION NEEDS. PK NAGARAJAN framed buildings is the safety of the steel workers while erecting the buildings. Effective training of workforce, use of hard hats and harnesses while erecting the steel members, and total inspection of all completed work, are some of the areas we focus on while working on steel-framed buildings,” says Prabhu.

GOING GREEN Steel buildings have many green characteristics, including recyclability and durability. Steel is the preferred material for all steel structures, and PEBs use steel, which is more than 90% recyclable. “In addition, steel buildings contribute to a project through improved energy-efficiency and use of environmental-friendly materials. As per green building norms,

The interior of the Embassy Industrial Park at Chakan, Pune.

56 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

PEB provides a natural lights lighting system, air ventilation using temperature control, SRI value of roof sheeting, a roof system compatible for solar panels installation and lowVOC content in paint consumption,” opines Nagarajan.

The increasing emphasis on green building construction and fast construction seems to be adding to the growth of PEB in India. Overall, the commercial construction market has witnessed the use of PEB in India, but the residential segment is yet to explore this massive constructional shift by adopting PEB as a viable solution. “Pre-engineered construction uses inherently green products and has a comparatively smaller impact on the environment in comparison to conventional brick-and-motor construction. The energyefficient methods used in producing the steel used for these structures and the high recycled content help in substantially reducing greenhouse gas emission. Interestingly, even after demolition, these buildings don’t accumulate wastage like asphalt, concrete, brick and dust. The only by product is metal scrap which is 90% recyclable,” avers Suri.

TECH TALK Construction of steel buildings does require a greater amount of skilled workforce than conventional construction. It is for this reason that manufacturers need to invest in training exercises for all concerned staff to transfer knowledge. PEB vendors have a highly skilled workforce to install pre-engineered building components. Vendors provide induction training of more than seven days to new joiners before deploying them on site.

“Topics like awareness of MHE, PEB building components, site general guide related to wind/temperature and more are covered by them. This is ensured by the developer’s PMC before starting work on site. The entire contract is given to the PEB vendor including installation. Methodology of installation is submitted to the developer, which is subsequently validated and approved by reputed consultants appointed by them. All MHE are arranged by PEB vendors with necessary certificates to ensure smooth progress at site. Maintenance of all machineries are ensured by the PEB vendor and included in a pre-planned maintenance programme, which helps in avoiding hindrances or stoppage of work. All snags and functional requirements of the developer and end-user are addressed during the installation stage of projects,” says Singhal.

With steel being so versatile, robust and ecologically sensitive, it is safe to say that the future is safe and steel.

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ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

RISE OF THE URBANATORS

While smart mobility may be their prime objective, elevator & escalator vendors also have to keep efficiency and comfort in mind when catering to India’s urban users.

BY MITALEE KURDEKAR

I

f one looks closely at what is happening in the Indian real estate sector, one cannot but agree that change – rapid change – has been the only constant. Robust consumer expenditure within the Indian economy, buoyed by the expanding purchasing power of the middle income population, has steered the economy ahead in the past couple of years. With the growth in the services sector of the economy, people are moving into urban areas, and turning towns into

60 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

cities and metros into mega-cities. On the other hand, significant reforms like demonetisation, and the introduction of GST and RERA, have turned the realty space upside down. To support private spending, the Government has also initiated programmes like affordable housing and infrastructure development, providing a much-needed push to the real estate sector and, in turn, the products used by developers as well as end users. Elevators & escalators are a perfect example of this.

ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

need for housing and commercial space grows, India’s elevator industry will continue to grow just as rapidly.”

Vincent Pinto, senior VP, new installation business, Schindler India, supports this view as he states, “India is the second-largest elevator market in the world after China, with more than 50,000 elevators being sold every year. The current growth rate of the elevator & escalator market is expected to be about 5-6% with the growing urbanisation in the country.”

A big part of this story is the increasing number of skyscrapers across cities and towns in India. Amit Gossain, MD, KONE Elevators India, further explains, “High-rise buildings are towering achievements that indicate the future of urban living. With the increasing density of super high-rise buildings in cities, the demand for ultra-high-speed lifts is increasing. In response, advanced technologies are continuously being introduced, contributing to some of the most energy-saving vertical transportation systems commercially available.”

During 2016, the market for these products was worth Rs 110 billion and now it is slated for a CAGR of 8-9% in the next five years. However, the most noteworthy feature of such growth is going to be the advent and adoption of new technologies that assist with high-speed, efficiency and other smart features.

With the latest sensor technologies and internet-based applications, this is already becoming a reality of our times.

THE INDIA STORY All of the above suggest that urbanisation is driving the economy in terms of investments and the spending to create demand. Thus, most key elevator & escalator vendors are basing their business and growth strategies on this changing phenomenon. As Sebi Joseph, president, Otis India, aptly puts it, “Urbanisation has been a key change agent for the industry, over the years. According to a recent McKinsey report, by 2030, it is expected that cities will house 590 million people or 40% of the population, and that India will have 68 cities with populations of more than 1 million. As urbanisation continues, and the

EMERGING TRENDS As explained earlier, the scenario within the elevator & escalator industry is changing rapidly to bring in emerging technologies and improvements that aim at user comfort, passenger mobility, efficient operations and user safety. Many of these changes are aimed at India-specific requirements like gearless- and machine room-less technologies that address space availability issues. Energy efficiency and re-gen applications are one of the key customer requirements to cope with escalating operational expenses for such elevators. Vying for customer attention, leading players have invested in new technologies or brought in such advancements from their parent organisations to capture a larger slice of the customer demand pie. They are focussing on smart elevator applications and efficient mechanisms.

Shabbir Kanchwala, senior VP, K Raheja Corp, provides a

K RAHEJA HAS ADOPTED RE-GEN DRIVES THAT REGENERATE ENERGY DURING DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF ELEVATORS. SHABBIR KANCHWALA CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 61

ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

customer viewpoint. He suggests, “India is observing the advent of a fresh generation of elevators & escalators equipped with advanced and innovative technology. The demand for such energy-efficient and lucrative elevators & escalators has witnessed a steady rise over the years. With new technologies and trends entering the market frequently, it is important to have utmost clarity on the elevator’s product range, its quality, and above all its smooth & safe functioning.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Rajiv Batura, senior VP, design & construction – MEP, Omkar Realtors & Developers, states, “Each lift should have features which enable safety and energy conversion, and a controlling system to maintain best-in-class average waiting time (AWT) and handling capacity (HC). With the use of destination control, we have benefitted by being able to recognise the destination floor and efficiently divert a particular lift to the designated floor to reduce waiting time. We are exploring the use of twin elevators, which will provide the desired result of AWT and percentage HC capacity within a limited lift shaft bank. The double decker is also a good option to transfer passengers during peak time with a limited lift bank.”

Explaining how they select the best product, a Kalpataru spokesperson says, “Selection of the product depends on multiple factors. Firstly, the customer expectations and wants, depending on the project – premium, luxury etc. – are considered. The second determining factor is the operational cost.

While finalising any product, utmost attention is paid to ensure that safety features are not compromised. We have benefitted from features like destination control system, roller guides for high-speed elevators, permanent magnet synchronous motors, regenerative drives and access control systems.”

62 CONSTRUCTION KONE’s products WEEK have MAY 2018 been installed at DMRC’s metro stations in Delhi.

ALL RISE TO TECHNOLOGY Most key vendors in the industry are supported by global majors in terms of the latest technology and feature offerings. The only issue is the adaption of these technologies to Indian conditions and customer requirements. Otis elevators, who are a part of United Technologies Corp., have locally introduced products with features that support sustainable growth. Joseph believes, “As urbanisation drives the increased need for housing, the need for smart and efficient technologies to support growth is becoming a must.” To aid in sustaining this development, Otis’ flagship products, the Gen2 range, are geared towards efficiency whilst providing environmentally responsible features and benefits.

“The ReGen drive captures energy that would otherwise be wasted by the elevator and feeds it back into the building’s power grid. Otis is also working on developing smart

PROVIDING THE BEST PEOPLE FLOW EXPERIENCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY FOR US. AMIT GOSSAIN

ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

OTIS RECOGNISES THE OPPORTUNITY INDIA PRESENTS, AND NOT TOO LONG AGO TRIPLED THE SIZE OF ITS BENGALURU FACTORY. SEBI JOSEPH

The 51.2 m tall test tower at the Otis factory in Bengaluru.

elevators. A smart elevator is a connected elevator capable of communicating with passengers. In addition, smart connected buildings, Internet of Things capabilities, and evolving standards of safety and quality will also be elements that benefit manufacturers with a strong appetite for investments in technology,” informs Joseph.

Customers like Kanchwala acknowledge this support, saying, “K Raheja has adopted re-gen drives that regenerate energy during downward movement of elevators. This energy is re-utilised during upward movement, resulting in overall energy conservation. Also, incorporating the use of belts instead of conventional ropes ensures less friction, resulting in significant saving of energy and longer durability of product.”

Gossain is emphatic that in order to meet the customer’s demands of high-rise buildings, there is an ever-existing need for continuous innovation. He claims, “KONE’s history of innovation is one of our success factors, and we always believe in being closer to the customer. We have been on the Forbes list of the most innovative companies for six years in a row, which is testimony to the world-class technology we use. Providing the best people flow experience to create an enjoyable and memorable user experience will continue to be a priority for us.”

Pinto agrees on the innovation focus, when he proclaims, “Real estate developers are increasingly preferring gearless & machine room-less (MRL) elevators over the traditional elevators, which require a machine room on top of the building.

We have a track record of introducing innovative products.

Our machine room-less and gearless elevators – Schindler 3100IN and Schindler 3300IN – have been widely accepted

by our customers. Schindler has consciously stayed away from offering manual door elevator products; and is playing a key role in this positive shift by offering our range of autodoor elevators with standard safety features.”

CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES The Government push on local manufacturing and technology transfer for facilitating that initiative, has received support from many global players of the elevator & escalator industry, who have responded favourably by setting up appropriate facilities or expanding an already available set-up. As Joseph supplies, “Otis recognises the opportunity India presents, and not too long ago tripled the size of its Bengaluru factory. Otis’ R&D centre in India has also significantly expanded its engineering capacity in recent years. The Make in India initiative will enable a deeper focus on what the Indian customer and building segment is looking for.”

He adds, “At Otis, we support the Make in India initiative, and we are continuously working toward localisation of imported parts. We also focus on lean supply chain principles to ensure smooth flow of material by dual sourcing, supplier education on quality and lean process certification for critical safety parts, while ensuring the compliance and upgrading of the overall system quality.”

Gossain highlights KONE’s contribution in achieving cost efficiency through supply base programmes, while stating, “As the demand rises, we would see more investment from the suppliers in enhancing the capabilities. Moreover, as the indigenous content for elevators increases, it lowers the cost of the equipment, making it more affordable for the customers.

KONE India has a good supply base within the country for highquality components. Our import content in our elevators has significantly dropped for our volume products, and we were

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 63

ELEVATORS & ESCALATORS

Schindler has set up India’s only MNC escalator manufacturing facility at Chakan in Pune.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ARE INCREASINGLY PREFERRING GEARLESS & MRL ELEVATORS. VINCENT PINTO able to achieve this by sourcing these components within the country through our strong supply chain network. Today, India contributes to global technology development.”

Pinto offers their stance, explaining, “Schindler India, in keeping with its focus on Make in India, and to service the growing infrastructural demands, has set up India’s only MNC escalator manufacturing facility at Chakan in Pune. This state-of-the-art facility is scalable to meet India’s growing demand.”

Talking about the importance of trained manpower to install the systems and support them, Joseph feels, “Availability of trained manpower is a challenge for the entire elevator & escalator industry. With an increasing need for elevators & escalators to meet growing demand in the real estate sector, the industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers that can install and service elevators.”

Pinto agrees and explains, “An elevator is not a plug-andplay kind of product, unlike other building equipment. Just as the design and quality of the elevator is important, it is equally important that it is installed and serviced by trained experts. All

64 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

Schindler technicians undergo rigorous training and complete certificate programmes to ensure the best service.

EACH LIFT SHOULD HAVE FEATURES WHICH ENABLE SAFETY AND ENERGY CONVERSION. RAJIV BATURA Schindler technicians undergo rigorous training and complete certificate programmes, ensuring that the elevator & escalator equipment is in the right hands.”

Gossain provides KONE’s philosophy on this, saying, “The key to our growth has been our ability to embrace change, by investing in people development. We continue to train and hire a qualified team of sales & service engineers and technicians at all levels and regions. We have also set-up three state-of-the-art KONE-owned training centres in Chennai, Pune and Gurugram, equipped to train our people and make them future ready.”

It is clear that while India offers tremendous opportunities for the elevator & escalator industry, its players too are leaving no stone unturned to take advantage of the same. It seems like it’s only going upwards from here on forward.

EVENT REPORT

The power-packed CXO panel discussion was followed by an interactive session with the audience.

METRO RAIL INDIA SUMMIT 2018

PACING TOWARDS PERFECTION For the 7th annual edition of the Metro Rail India Summit, leading minds from the core fraternity gathered to address the whys and hows of the new-age, technology-driven, urban transport industry.

BY SHRISTI NANGALIA

A

fter six successful years of exchanging ideas and experiences, ITP Media (India) called to order the 7th Annual Metro Rail India Summit, which witnessed the presence of eminent industry professionals at Shangri-la's Eros Hotel, New Delhi, on March 21, 2018. The day-long event revolved around operation & maintenance, role of technology, safety & hazards, project management, skilled manpower, environment, policy and project finance in the ever-changing metro rail sector of India.

Bibhor Srivastava, group publishing director, ITP Media (India), welcomed the attendees during his opening address. With an aim to catch up with all the advancements in the industry, through this event, Srivastava opened the forum afresh.

Dr Pawan Kumar, associate TCP, Town and Country Planning Organisation, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, delivered the keynote address. Citing many examples, Kumar said that metro rail adds to the image of the country and that, “this system should be efficient and well defined. It is important for us to intervene and improve

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2017 65

EVENT REPORT

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Pravin Darade held the audience’s attention throughout his speech.

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the system, so as to let the end-users enjoy it to the fullest.”

In his special address, Pravin Darade, additional metropolitan commissioner – I and project director, MUTP, MMRDA, spoke about the recent developments that have taken place in Mumbai’s metro network, and highlighted the ongoing & upcoming projects that will help decongest the city in the future. Talking about the challenges they face, Darade pointed out, “We do not know what lies under the roads; there are water pipelines, electricity lines, gas pipelines, sewage lines and more; agencies like PWD, MSRDC, SRPF and many other corporations are associated with the project. We are trying to overcome the issues that ultimately help us move forward.”

Vivek Jain, marketing manager – smart cities & public urban segment, Philips Lighting India, deliberated on the concept of ‘Light Beyond Illumination for Metro Rail’ in his presentation. Jain strongly believes that the experience and perception in any metro station can be uplifted by lighting

66 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2017

spaces well, thereby increasing ridership. “Light affects our daily rhythm; it can make us fall asleep, feel relaxed and more. The right light, right level of light and right colour of light can make us feel more alert too. Knowing the heat map at different parts of the station, light can help manage the crowd better,” suggested Jain.

Following this, the first panel discussion that focussed on ‘Efficient Operation, Project Management, Standardisation and Sustainable Development in the Metro Rail System’ commenced. A K Garg, executive director – electrical, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation; Mahendra Kumar, director – rolling stock & systems, Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation; Dilip Jadeja, VP – rolling stock & electrical, IL&FS Rail (Rapid Metro Gurgaon); Rajesh Kumar, ED – urban transport & high speed rail, RDSO; Satish Kumar, advisor – O&M, Kochi Metro Rail; Bruno Vantu, country director – Rail, Egis; Saurav Choudhury, associate counsellor, IGBC; and Daljeet Singh, director, works, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, took

EVENT REPORT

The first panel discussion made for a lively session and set the tone for the day.

part in the dialogue. Ashish Rakheja, managing partner, AEON Integrated Building Design Consultants, being the moderator of the panel, introduced the topic and kick-started the discussion.

Rakheja asked Garg about the measures DMRC is tak- Shailesh Nigam gave an overview ing to achieve operational of Daikin’s applied products. efficiency. “DMRC has been focusing on sustainability since the beginning. We are going for energy-efficient equipment, LED lighting, certified equipments from international bodies, solar power-driven accessories etc.,” Garg disclosed.

Mahendra Kumar’s experiences with Delhi metro led him to create a successful Lucknow metro project. “We have given due importance to sustainability at Lucknow metro.

All stations are certified with an IGBC Platinum-rating,” he proudly shared.

Jadeja was asked to share his experiences at Rapid Metro Gurgaon. “For a private metro like us, all systems should be sustainable, should generate money and reduce cost. We combined the procurement, installation and commissioning of the complete system. Our efficiency is the highest, and we have zero failure rate. Maintenance costs, too, are the lowest,” he elaborated.

While discussing the new metro rail policy, Rakheja was eager to know if it is making the process easier in terms of going forward. To this, Singh stated, “We are procuring and running the rolling stock. We may go for leasing in the next phase.”

Satish Kumar said, “Delhi Metro was a greenfield project, where we selected the latest technology in each of the fields that matched each other. This was the latest technology at that point of time.”

When posed with a question about the current ‘smart’ metro trend, Rajesh Kumar shared, “I think our metros are

smart and fully updated with technology. But, we need to work more towards a seamless management and operation of all the systems.”

Rakheja asked Vantu to voice his thoughts on Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Maintenance. “China and Southeast Asia built a lot of systems but they now face obsolescence of technologies. The right idea is to quickly build systems and implement them,” offered Vantu.

When asked what the driver behind setting up a green metro rating system was, Choudhury informed, “With a focus on sustainability, during the first technical committee meeting in 2013, the very highest level members in DMRC decided to do so. Subsequently, we brought all our expertise in terms of airports, IT parks and other projects into the MRTS rating system, along with a lot of high technology relevant to transit stations and transit systems.”

In the next session, Shailesh Nigam, DGM – applied business, Daikin Air-conditioning India, gave a presentation on the ‘Overview of Daikin Applied Products’, wherein he explained that “applied products are the large commercial airconditioning machinery or the chilling plants, which either go in the basement or on the rooftop.”

The second panel discussion was the CXO Power Panel, which revolved around ‘Overview on Planning, Infrastructure, Design, Technology and Trends in Metro Rail Projects in India’. Parashuram Singh, MD, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation; Kumar Keshav, MD, Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation; Rajiv Banga, MD & CEO, IL&FS Rail (Rapid Metro Gurgaon); Shaibal Roy, VP & Head (Transportation & Hydro) – Urban Infrastructure, Tata Projects; and Pravin Darade, were a part of the discussion. Bharat Salhotra, VP, sales & business development, Asia Pacific Region, Alstom, moderated the session.

Salhotra asked about the things that make a project successful. Acknowledging the pillars that led to the successful implementation of Lucknow metro, Keshav replied, “It is Lucknow metro's very small, determined team which delivered this project in time with the constant support and

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2017 67

EVENT REPORT

The third panel discussion highlighted the latest technology trends and their applications in metro rail systems.

Dr Brijesh Dixit gave a special presentation on ‘Innovation in Metro Rail in India’.

Shaibal Roy spoke in favour of having one single contract document for all metro projects.

understanding between all the consultants, funding institutions, contractors, and vendors.”

Roy, being an expert on FDIC procurement documentation, was asked the best possible way forward in the procurement model. “We should develop one single contract document for all metro projects to make it easier for the metro authorities to monitor all the contracts. This way, the cost and litigation, too, will go down,” he supplied.

Banga said, “First and foremost, there are a few sectorial challenges for things like the metro. It is capital-intensive, but it is seen as social infrastructure, so fares are always regulated. Every metro has a challenge on viability. It has to be more than adequately supplemented with – whether it is non-fare or value capture.”

MMRCL and MMRDA are two different bodies with different rolling stocks running in Mumbai. Salhotra was not satisfied with the prevailing lack of standardisation that, in turn, shifts the focus away from bringing better outcomes. Darade cleared the misunderstanding by saying, “Both MMRCL and MMRDA are constructing facilities taking into account PHPDT, in each direction and for each metro line. The infrastructure and facilities are provided as per the requirement and traffic needs of each particular station. The number of coaches available now is able to cater to the current ridership. But, since the infrastructure cannot be expanded later, we have provided future expansion potential in the stations.”

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There were a lot of interactive sessions, making for a great dialogue.

On the human side of things, there is the case of the Kolkata metro. They are constructing an East-West corridor, which has two prominent locations where resettlement of families was involved. “Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation first shifted them into a temporary accommodation, which was constructed on land given by the state government and finally we have accommodated them in newly built, multistoried apartments,” Singh claimed, adding that they had housed about 143 families. The second panel ended with high hopes for a better tomorrow.

Post lunch, Ashish Jain, partner, AEON Integrated Building Design Consultants, gave a case study presentation, wherein he shared the design philosophies and procedures while coming up with an interchange station. “We aimed at developing a climate responsive design. Micro climate for outdoor thermal comfort, façade design optimisation and enhanced daylight for the interiors were strategically integrated. Adequate solar shading, evaporative cooling and natural ventilation became other important features of the design,” he said.

Next, Dr Brijesh Dixit, MD, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation, presented a special address on ‘Innovation in Metro Rail in India’. Dixit believes that the main concern lies in the management of the evolving challenges, minimising cost, enhancing the experience & reliability, enhancing accessibility & affordability, and achieving environmental friendliness.

EVENT REPORT

Darade spoke about the recent developments that have taken place in Mumbai’s metro network.

Ajay Talwar gave a presentation on ‘Integrated One-stop Security Solutions in Metros’.

Sanjay Gautam gave an introduction to Rehau 3rd Rail System.

“Our 5D building information modelling, solar PV modules, 100% water recycling units and other cost-effective initiatives bring out the best design that is easy to operate and manage,” highlighted Dixit.

Bosch Limited’s Ajay Talwar, head, business verticals – building technology division, delivered his presentation on ‘Integrated One-stop Security Solutions in Metros’. In this regard, he said, “Most of the metros are supported by Bosch worldwide. Bosch’s CCTV, fire intrusion, access control, auditorium systems and other need-based solutions, by the next two years, will be on IoT, integrated on a single platform.”

The third and final panel discussion aimed at understanding ‘Latest technology and its applications in Metro Rail Systems’. The panel included Anil Kumar Saini, COO, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad; Sanjay Kumar, chief engineer – signalling & telecommunication, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation; Prashant Varma, GM – S&T, MEGA Co.; Dr Vimal Gahlot, senior engineer – urban transport, public works department, Government of Rajasthan; and Munish Peshin, director – business group – professional lighting, Philips Lighting India. Moderator Rajaji Meshram, director – infrastructure, government and healthcare services, KPMG Advisory Services, dug deeper into leveraging technology to achieve optimisation, efficiency and sustainability.

Meshram asked Gahlot to share his experience in the metros of Rajasthan. “Looking on to the broader spectrum, engaging the customers & commuters and encouraging them to use the metro are the most important facets in Rajasthan.”

Speaking about the linkage of lighting and metro design, Peshin highlighted, “While designing a metro or MRTS light-

ing, we look at two aspects – one is to provide optimal lighting for different activities and another is to create an ambience through digital lighting, so that the building becomes a landmark and increases ridership.”

Meshram asked Saini to explain how technology can be leveraged to manage and control operational costs. Saini pointed out that the fare box collection and the non-fare box collection has to meet the OpEx. “Technology can be implemented in optimising the OpEx. I think the immediate target for us is to bring about 25% reductions in OpEx by the use of asset management systems, IoT and analytics.”

Varma rightly elaborated on the ideas of standardisation across all metros in India saying, “In 2016, MOUD issued circulars asking metros to set up small teams to standardise the specifications for signalling & telecom, rolling stock, traction and track. Other than optimising the functions and stock, we leave the automation, like driverless train operation, to the metros themselves.”

Meshram understood that the communication-based train control system is a pre-requisite for a driverless metro, but he was eager to know the stages and needs of driverless metros. Sanjay Kumar explained that driverless metros fall under the Grade of Automation-IV (GOA-4) section. “Here, the unit needs to have a barrier detection system at the platform. If the train finds any object bigger than a particular size, it will stop automatically and inform the OCC. Another feature is the derailment detection system, where the train automatically stops, if anything untoward happens.”

With the end of the final panel discussion, Sanjay Gautam, sales director, Rehau Polymers, followed with an ‘Introduction of Rehau 3rd Rail System’ saying, “Rehau is the only company which produces all the three major components, the aluminum stainless steel, the GRP steel support that holds the third rail, and the cover which protects the rail from electric shocks.”

Cutting-edge discussions aside, networking opportunities were generated as part of the 7th Annual Metro Rail India Summit 2018. In addition, there was a special felicitation of leading metro rail operators for their outstanding contribution to the Indian Metro Rail and Rail Industry.

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EVENT REPORT

FELICITATION FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE INDIAN METRO RAIL AND RAIL INDUSTRY

L-R: Bibhor Srivastava, Mitalee Kurdekar, editor, Construction Week, and Indrajeet Saoji, director, ITP Media (India), bestow Pravin Darade (second from right) with the title of Metro Man of the Year for his efforts in fast-tracking the metro rail projects in Mumbai.

Sanjay Kumar (second from right), chief engineer - signalling & telecommunication, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, collects the award for his organisation.

Dilip Jadeja (second from right), VP, rolling stock & electrical, IL&FS Rail Ltd (Rapid Metro Gurgaon), accepts the honour from the Construction Week team.

The plaque was collected by Anil Kumar Saini (second from right), COO, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd.

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L-R: Bibhor Srivastava honouring Dr Dixit for his contribution to the industry.

EVENT REPORT FELICITATION

Prashant Varma (centre), GM - S&T, MEGA Co. Ltd, receives the award.

Metro Man of the Year

Pravin Darade

Exceptional Metro Rail Project

Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation

Exceptional Metro Rail Project

IL&FS Rail Ltd (Rapid Metro Gurgaon)

Exceptional Metro Rail Project

L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad)

Most Promising Metro Rail Project

Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation

Most Promising Metro Rail Project

Metro-Link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) Co. Ltd

Outstanding Initiative for Promoting Green Metro Rail in India

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)

The IGBC was awarded for their outstanding initiative in promoting green metro rail in India.

The event witnessed an overwhelming turnout from within the industry.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2017 71

PMV

THE RIGHT FIT

Viega India opened its first Indian manufacturing plant in Sanand in March.

I

JAYASHREE KINI MENDES

n India and for Indians specifically, news of a new manufacturing plant always spells good news. Obvious reasons are employment generation, a push in economic development, and, of course, the possibility of introducing new products in the market. Even more advantageous is when a German company that has for long been selling products in India decides to set up manufacturing operations in India. I never tire of saying this, but Germans come with a strong manufacturing background and

72 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018

any country they go benefit from their precision and superior quality products. Manufacturing is in their bloodline.

So when Viega, who for long has been selling its plumbing and heating products in India, decided to open its first manufacturing facility in the country, it did create some kind of excitement. Moreover the new plant being set up is in Sanand, Gujarat, which is soon turning as the latest hub for manufacturing in the country. Sanand was a sleepy town before Maruti Suzuki, Ford India, Tata Motors, Bosch

PMV

THERE IS, OF COURSE, A MORE LOCAL POSITIVE ASPECT TO THIS ENTIRE FACTORY WHICH IS TO CREATE JOBS LOCALLY. ANNA VIEGENER still young and growing in India. Twelve years ago (in 2005) Viega started its first sales in India via a sales partner. Four years later, we established our first sales office in Gurgaon.

As our sales grew we expanded into Mumbai through the sales office and in 2015 set up the foundation of the Viega branch office in Ahmedabad. This initiated one of the most important investments for Viega in a country that is growing and is very promising for our future. It is what has led to the combination of forming Viega’s integrated facilities here in Sanand.”

The facility aims to cater to the local demands for the company’s products — which are in categories of piping system as well as draining and flushing technology — and serve the local market needs.

The Sanand manufacturing facility is built on a 16-acre site with approximately €20 million (Rs 160 crore) investment. The factory can be expanded to another 400,000 sq-ft, leaving a lot of potential for growth as the business grows. To start with, the company will manufacture floor drains and toilet cisterns from the Sanand plant.

Most of the machinery has been imported into the country from overseas.

Rexroth, Nestle, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, Posco, among others, began setting up operations in the state.

Globally, Viega is already a popular brand name. In India, for long the company maintained some kind of exclusivity and had to compete with a host of other brand names.

But all that is set to change. Speaking at the inauguration of the plant, Claus Holst-Gydesen, CEO, Viega, said, “We are delighted about yet another milestone in the history of a company that has strong traditions in Germany, but is

MAKING A MARK A large part of the facility has been built to make products that are designed to German standards while manufacturing focuses on safe quality standards. The reason Viega calls it an integrated facility is because it also has a logistics centre that will cater to the needs of its customers and provide products just-in-time.

“We also have a research and development centre here that will localise products for the Indian market. Viega wants to and will become in India what it is already internationally renowned for, a company that innovates and provides leading innovating products in the plumbing and heating indus-

CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018 73

PMV

OUR MEASURED STEPS

WE SEE A HUGE

HAVE LED TO ONE OF

OPPORTUNITY IN TERMS

THE MOST IMPORTANT

OF UPGRADATION,

INVESTMENTS FOR

WHICH DELIVER

VIEGA IN INDIA.

LEAKAGE-FREE SOLUTIONS.

CLAUS HOLST-GYDESEN

MANOJ MAITHANI

try,” said Manoj Maithani, VP, sales & marketing, Viega India.

He added that, going forward, Viega India will also export to countries in South East Asia and West Asia.

He added, “The three products categories that we operate in (piping systems, drainage systems and the pre-wall systems), are low involvement products for end customer.

That’s the opportunity for us. If you look at piping, about 85% is CPVC, which are not expensive. We see a huge opportunity in terms of upgradation, which deliver leakage-free solutions for a lifetime.”

The company has a production line for its plumbing products, which are being ramped up for local production of drainage and cistern articles along with well-equipped quality parameters, true to Viega’s mission of quality. In addition in the current phase it also has offices and canteen and other employee facilities that is going to make it a very gracious facility for all its colleagues.

Besides all the planned arrangements, Viega India has also integrated into this overall complex a seminar centre that they call as an experience centre. The idea is to provide training to all of its customers and plumbing partners.

“We teach training courses here that will pass on the latest specials product knowledge to our plumbing partners, contractors and dealers distributors. There is, of course, a more local positive aspect to this entire factory which is to create jobs locally,” says Anna Viegener, chief strategy officer and Viega shareholder.

Speaking about taking Make in India forward, Maithani said, “Make in India is not only the eponymous Indian government initiative but also the mark of quality that will characterise ever more Viega products for the Indian market from now on. In the coming years, we want to locally manufacture products that we currently import into India. To this end, we have designed the plant so that it can always be adapted to changing production requirements and market needs.”

With 4,300 employees worldwide, Viega now sells piping systems for plumbing and heating, drainage technology and flushing systems for toilets and urinals. A 33-strong sales team ensures proximity to the customer, which is likely to go up to 120 if Viega India sees a strong potential.

Holst-Gydesen said that invest is the key word for the company. “We are constantly investing in innovating products for the business we operate in. This year we have increased the innovation budget by 20% worldwide.”

The company plans to introduce partners for drinking water installations in the near future. Over the next few years, it plans to add intelligence and service to its products so that it can offer improved systems to customers.

Interestingly, Viega is aware that Indians will pay for quality products that it has on offer.

An outside view of the Sanand plant.

74 CONSTRUCTION WEEK MAY 2018