Executing complex bridge projects globally

A recent Engineering News-Record (ENR) survey ranked Afcons the 22nd best company globally in bridge construction. “This is the rich legacy of project delivery of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, and in the DNA of Afcons, to complete projects ahead of schedule,” says K Subramanian, Executive Vice Chairman, Afcons Infrastructure. Over the decades, Afcons has constructed several engineering marvels in some of the most hostile geographies, including valleys, through mountains, at terrifying heights, across flooded rivers, over live railway tracks, and even over the sea. The company is executing some world-beating projects, says Subramanian with pride. “We are constructing the Rohtang Pass highway tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, which will be the world’s longest motorable tunnel at 3,000 m above sea level upon completion. Also coming up is the Chenab Rail Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, which will be the tallest single-arch railway bridge in the world.”Commenting on innovative solutions adopted by the company, Subramanian mentions the concrete pumping at Vallarpadam Rail Bridge for a stretch of 2.1 km, which was a national record; and the world’s tallest cable crane set up for the Chenab Railway Bridge project, which is perhaps a record.SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN