National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had awarded the work of “Four laning of Meerut- Bulandshahr Section of NH-235 from 8.800 km to 73.512 km (Design Chainage in the State of Uttar Pradesh under NHDP Phase IV on Hybrid Annuity Model), for a concession period of 17.5 years including a construction period of 910 days, i.e., two and a half years, and operation and maintenance period of 15 years to Freedom Point Expressways as concessionaire. Apco Infratech, who was the lowest bidder, had incorporated a SPV – Freedom Point Expressways (FEPL) – as the “concessionaire” for development of the project highway.
“FEPL had entered into a concession agreement (CA) with NHAI on March 4, 2016, for construction, operation and maintenance of the project,” informs DK Srivastava, Executive Vice President, APCO Infratech. The CA sets out the scope, rights and obligations of all the parties, overall framework for the development, and operation and maintenance of the project. While the project bid was floated by the NHAI at end of 2015, the appointed date was declared as April 28, 2017. “During this course of time and the completion period as well, the project alignment features have been modified to cater to the topographic and demographic variations and inhabitant demands,” Srivastava adds.
As built features of the project highway is depicted as follows:
This project road section traverses through three districts of Uttar Pradesh, viz, Meerut, Hapur and Bulandshahr. As Srivastava shares, “NHAI had proposed to bypass nodal towns i.e.
Phaphunda Bypass (2.7 km), Kharkhauda Bypass (3.2 km), Hapur Bypass (11.2 km – greenfield and 1.228 km – improvement of existing Hapur Bypass on NH 24), Gulaothi Bypass (7.6 km) and widen two-lane existing alignment into four-lanes with paved shoulder – and divided median on the basis of a detail project (feasibility) report carried out in the year 2010.”
The alignment traverses along and across various canals, drains, and railway crossings. In order to cater to these structures, nine minor bridges, one major bridge, and one RoB has been provided. Additionally, a six-lane carriageway underpass (three vehicular underpass (VUP), five pedestrian underpass (PUP)) has also been provided to accommodate various major crossroads without conflict and with respective traffic.
Description |
UoM |
Quantity |
Aggregates: |
|
|
Dust |
MT |
519,444 |
GSB aggregates |
MT |
609,831 |
Concrete aggregates |
MT |
948,955 |
Coarse sand |
MT |
332,604 |
Steel |
MT |
9,010 |
Fly-ash |
MT |
45,494 |
Structural steel |
MT |
861 |
Cement |
MT |
170,478 |
Curing compound |
Kg |
1,409,969 |
Description |
UoM |
Quantity |
Manpower required (Average
per day) |
No’s |
362 |
Man-hours working |
Hours |
3,317,400 |
Description |
Quantity |
Sensor Paver for DLC |
2 |
Sensor Paver for PQC |
1 |
Excavator |
11 |
Grader |
8 |
Roller |
9 |
HYWA Dumper |
70 |
Water Tanker |
12 |
Transit Mixer |
3 |
Batching Plant 100 CPH |
4 |
Batching Plant 30 CPH |
1 |
“The above listed issues had resulted in project delays,” says Srivastava. “The project timeline was stretched for 553 days in addition to 910 days. However, FEPL (the concessionaire), with its prudent approach and accelerated efforts, reduced the time span to 295 days from the additional 553 days required for the project and achieved provisional completion certificate on August 14, 2020.”
The concessionaire, upholding the professional ethics and values of its promoter APCO Infratech, retained manpower at its respective accommodation facilities and provided best services to facilitate them in hard time. “However, manpower exodus begun on the start of special trains and buses for commuting people to their respective home places,” says Srivastava. “The government eased down lockdown restriction for the infrastructure sector on April 20, 2020, but the district administration had not allowed commencing work till May 4, 2020.” Workers were then facilitated with all type of COVID precautions; they were accommodated with social distancing norms and special transport facilities were made to commute them to site from accommodation and vice versa.
Also, the highway is in close association with NH-24, near Hapur Bypass, and will serve as a direct access route to Garh-Mukteshwar, where the Government of Uttar Pradesh is planning to develop a waterway and promote tourism. Further, this highway will also serve as an access route to the upcoming Ganga Expressway project in Meerut and Bulandshahr.
SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN
Particular |
Description |
Project cost |
Rs 11.30 billion
including COS granted for additions of elevated structures for safety of road
users and access to villagers or farmers |
Month of completion |
August 14, 2020,
(PCOD) and November 12, 2020 (COD) |
Total length |
61.19 km |
Developer |
Freedom Point
Expressways |
Contractor |
APCO Infratech |
Consultant |
SAI Consulting
Engineering (SYSTRA) |
Steel supplier |
SAIL, REAL Ishpath,
JSPL |
Any other
technology or material used |
Flyash/silica as
cement replacement |