Page 39 - TT Magazine Feb-Mar 2019

INFRASTRUCTURE

the construction of a simple cable-stayed bridge was planned. It
was decided to implement the project through a single package,
involving the construction of both the main bridge as well as the
eastern and western approaches. After the receipt & tender, it
required revised cost sanction and finally, in 2009, the decision to
split the project into two packages was taken. The first package
entailed the construction of the western and eastern approaches
while the second package involved the construction of the cable-
stayed bridge. In February 2010, the second package covering
main bridge was awarded to a joint venture (JV) of Gammon
India, Brazil’s Construtora Cidade and Italy’s Tensacciai. Following
the project award, construction commenced in March 2010.
Challenges on the way
The journey of the project, right from conceptualisation to
construction, was with several challenges. One of
the major issues faced in the initial stage was that
of obtaining the forest clearance. While DTTDC
had applied for the clearance in 2007, it was only
granted after a five-year period in 2012. “Geological
surprises and the consequent need to redesign and
execute foundation P-23 of the bridge proved to be
a major challenge,” says Shishir Bansal, Chief Project
Manager, Wazirabad Bridge Project, DTTDC. After
carrying out the soil investigation, it was revealed
that the rock profile of the area was steeply sloping,
thereby warranting a change in the design of the
foundation P-23.
In August 2012, a proposal for an integrated well-pile foundation
was approved and the well sinking started. In December 2014,
Gammon India acquired two new reverse circulation drilling rigs
from Korean firm Buma CE. These rigs were used for undertaking
piling work on the sloping rock terrain. The piling work was
One of the most striking features of the bridge completed within a span of 16 months. With this, the Signature
is its inclined pylon. The height of the steel pylon is Bridge project became the second bridge project in the country to
154 metres, more than double the Qutub Minar. feature a combination of well and pile foundations. This extensive
The top of the pylon is formed by a steel-glass piling and well foundation support P-23 and carries most of the
structure which includes a viewer’s deck. Around 6,600 tonne uplift load exerted by the cable-stressed pylon for
14,500 tonnes of structured steel and 6,300 tonnes the main bridge.
of reinforced steel has been used in construction.
For the first time in the country, E355 grade steel Another major challenge was the identification of a workshop
has been used for the pylon work of a bridge. for pylon fabrication. After extensive research, the decision to
get the entire steel fabrication in ZTSS workshop at Jiangsu
Design analysis province in Shanghai. The entire steel fabricated components
The first announcement for the construction of were transported from Shanghai to Kandla port in Gujarat in six
the bridge was made in 1997. Initially, the plan consignments. It was then transported from Kandla to Wazirabad
was to construct a simple bridge. Following the in Delhi to the bridge site, covering a distance of 1,640 km by
announcement, an MoU for the implementation of road. The base was transported in modular trailers with 12 axles
the project was signed between DTTDC and Delhi’s and 168 wheels with each axle having independent hydraulic
public works department (PWD) on August 27, arrangement. Transportation of the shipment was done mainly
2004. Once the project was taken over by DTTDC, at night. A separate bypass had to be set up enroute besides

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