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Nagpur Municipal Corporation plans use of new technology for road digging

Monday, 17 June 2013 12:09 administrator
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The Times of India                17.06.2013

Nagpur Municipal Corporation plans use of new technology for road digging

NAGPUR: In a bid to check subsequent deterioration of dug up roads, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to implement Horizontal Drilling Direction (HDD) - a new technology that will cause less damage to the surface. The NMC is currently implementing the duct policy to allow road digging works.

Open surface digging causes a lot of physical stress to a road, which is not even reinstated properly, and reduces its lifespan. With HDD technology, the entire road does not have to be dug up, instead bores can be drilled in the surface and ducts passed through them.

Recently, the NMC conducted a meeting with officials of National Highways Authority of India, state public works department, Nagpur Improvement Trust, MSEDCL and BSNL to discuss issues pertaining to digging of roads. The meeting was chaired by NMC's superintending engineer Prakash Urade.

It was decided that if laying of cable duct was not possible using HDD method in congested areas, only then open trenching would be allowed. It was also pointed out that if any damage occurs to the underground utilities like electric, telecommunication cable, pipelines etc, the agency carrying out the work will be held responsible for the same and will also restore the damaged utilities.

Urade has invited suggestions from utility companies about fixing rates for using HDD technology. "If the civic body doesn't get any inputs, the old rates will be applicable for cable laying by HDD method," said a source. Under the duct policy, the civic body charges between Rs2,000 and Rs3,500 per RMT for digging small and major roads.

As per NMC guidelines, no company or individual can dig road without the hotmix department's permission. A senior officer from the department pointed out that four different agencies - NMC, NIT, PWD and NHAI - maintain the city roads. But, to dig any road, permission must be sought from NMC's hotmix department.

While granting permission for large-scale digging, the NMC is planning to ask these agencies to use HDD.

A source said that the utility agencies had been resisting the move because they feel that the proposed policy will push up the cost manifold. Whether the firms pay the NMC a digging fee or they themselves relay the road as mandated by a new directive, the amount would be much less than expenditure for HDD procedure. This, the source said, was because the machine needed to use the technology was very expensive.

Currently, in a bid to avoid road cuttings and digging of internal lanes, Orange City Water Limited is using trenchless technology (HDD machines) for laying pipelines. "OCW is using this technology to minimize traffic disruptions and damage to existing utilities. The new method also reduces the danger for community," said OCW spokesperson Sachin Dravekar.

What is HDD technology

* Trenchless technology is used for laying underground pipeline with minimum digging of ground

* Just holes are drilled 100 metres apart

* Pipe is passed through them after horizontal digging

* HDD is better than open surface digging which causes a lot of physical stress to a road

* Moreover, the stretch is not even reinstated properly which eventually reduces the lifespan of the road

* New tech minimizes traffic disruptions and damage to existing utilities

* At present Orange City Water Limited is using trenchless technology (HDD machines) for laying pipelines

 

Major push for a more beautiful Marine Drive

Monday, 17 June 2013 10:16 administrator
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The Indian Express                17.06.2013

Major push for a more beautiful Marine Drive

More than nine years after it was first mooted, the Marine Drive beautification plan got a fresh thrust with MMRDA applying for the crucial coastal regulation zone and heritage committee clearance. If cleared, the tenders are expected to be issued by August, this year, said officials.

If things go as planned, Mumbaikars will get the city's first viewing deck stretched into the Arabian sea, in addition to the makeover of the Marine Drive promenade. The heritage Parsi Gate will be restored, and the road near Princess Street will be widenend to make space for motorists. The makeover, initiated in 2004, had not gained ground since February 2013, after an empowered committee (EC) headed by chief secretary Jayant Kumar Banthia gave an in-principle nod. MMRDA plans to complete the main features of the project in the next one year.

"We are trying to implement some components from what the architect has recommended. The total cost will not amount to more than Rs 2-3 crore. We are trying to involve private parties and residents living around the area for sponsoring some of the work," said U P S Madan, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA.

For the viewing deck, the MMRDA will build cantilever structures,which involves anchoring the beam at just one end to take the stress of the entire deck.

"We identified the elements that are immediately do-able and necessary. For example, the restoration of the Parsi Gate is important as it holds a sentimental value for the community and is currently in a total state of disrepair," Madan said.

MMRDA will widen the road under the flyover near Princess Street. "There is redundant water pipeline. We have proposed to remove it and widen the road," the metropolitan commissioner added.

The project was discussed with Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, which seemed positive about it, said S V R Srinivas, additional metropolitan commissioner.

 

Proposal to include flyover construction under JNNURM

Saturday, 15 June 2013 10:24 administrator
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The New Indian Express            15.06.2013  

Proposal to include flyover construction under JNNURM

The Kochi Corporation authorities will soon submit a proposal before the Centre to include the construction of flyovers at Vyttila, Palarivattom and Kundannoor under the additional funding scheme announced for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects.

 The decision was taken by the Kochi Corporation Council on Friday. A resolution in this regard was also passed by the council. The estimated cost for the flyovers as per the initial assessment is Rs 67 crore for Palarivattom, Rs 73 crore for Kundannoor and `93 crore for Vyttila. “For JNNURM projects, the Union Government will provide 50 per cent of the total project cost. Out of the remaining 50 per cent, the State will provide 30 per cent while the respective local bodies will have to bear 20 per cent. Since Kochi Corporation is not in a financial position to contribute the 20 per cent, we will request the state government to bear our share too. If the State is ready ready to pump in our share, we will be able to make the JNNURM funds available for the project,” said Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.

However, the Centre will not provide funds for land acquisition and the Mayor said the civic body hoped that the state government would bear the cost of the land acquisition. Apart from the flyover projects, some other key infrastructure projects will also be submitted before the Centre for consideration under the additional funding package for JNNURM. These projects include the ambitious Ring Road project mooted by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA). The GCDA has already earmarked `6 crore for the first phase of the project which will cover 10.50-km between Chatiath and Varapuzha. The road will pass through Vaduthala, Pachalam and Kadamakudy.

In order to develop a feeder system to the Kochi Metro Rail, the Corporation will also submit a project to boost the existing water transport network. The Broadway renovation project and Heritage Conservation project for Fort Kochi and Mattanchery will also be submitted under additional funding scheme. A drainage system for East Kochi and the sewage treatment plant are the other major projects.

 
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