Efforts on to finalise design of Irang RCC bridge
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 09 2020:
Officials concerned are closing in to finalise the design of the proposed four lane 'Irang RCC bridge' which foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister N Biren on December 2.It may be worth mentioning that the Irang RCC bridge will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 49.31 crore under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India with National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) being the implementing agency.
A tentative design of the proposed four lane and 105 feet long RCC bridge has been prepared but since the bridge is going to be constructed under EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) mode, the contractor will finalise the design based on the recommendations of a consultancy firm, said an official source.
Before preparing the final design, soil investigation and other capacity testings have to be conducted at the construction site, the source said.
It said that M/S Paratech Private Limited, which has received the contract, should engage a consultant which would carry out soil investigation prior to the finalisation of the design.
Investigation of soil is an unavoidable step since the design of the bridge has to be finalised based on the soil capacity, it said.
The design prepared by NHIDCL was also prepared by a consultant following due measures and testings.
As all the measures are complied and if the contractor finds the design impressive, the said design can be considered for finalisation if 'Indian Standard Codes' approves.
A lot of progress has been made regarding the construction, informed the source while adding that inspection of the site prior to mobilisation has been conducted.
The Mobilisation part is not an easy task as it seems as it involves transportation of excavators, heavy machinery and other vehicles, finding a safe location for stationing and depository purposes and safety of staff and workers involved.
As such the mobilisation work may take nearly a month, the source said.
Another source, in the meantime said that, as per the EPC mode, the construction firm should carry out the whole of the engineering work.
The firm should basically have its own staff of well experienced engineers who are experts in creating designs and obviously such construction work are assigned to firms which fulfill all the criteria, it said.
These firms can also engage other more experienced and better firms for proof consultancy and sought approval, the source said while adding that approval from a group of engineers constituted by the State Government is also required before commencing the actual construction work.