NHAI's new record: Constructs 25 km road in 18-hour time

NHAI has created a new record by completing the asphalt work on a 25.54 km single-lane stretch under the 4-laning work on the Solapur -Bijapur highway in just 18 hours. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari informed that the record will soon enter the Limca Book of Records and the effort of 500 workers was involved in this feat.

Sanjay Kadam, Project Director of NHAI, said, "The length of the project is 110 kms of Four / Six Laning of Solapur- Bijapur section on NH13 and is one of the largest contracts, in value (approx. ₹2300 Crores) awarded by NHAI on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate & Transfer (DBFOT) basis. We are glad to set another milestone in this project by achieving the record of laying 25.54 lane kilometres (12.77 Kilometers) Bituminous concrete layer in 18 hours as compared to the current average progress rate of 05 kilometres per month in a four laning highway project.” He has also commended the meticulous planning and painstaking efforts of IJMII in achieving something that has not been attempted in such a short span of time by any construction company in India.

M. Venkateswar Rao, Team Leader IJMII, said, "This task has involved huge logistical & technical challenges covering an approximate linear distance of 18,701 km in less than 18 hrs which is equivalent to 5 one-way trips from Ladakh to Kanyakumari (3810 km one way via NH 44). 14,832 Tons of Bituminous Concrete mix was produced from hot mix plants for the project. Heavy load carrying vehicles, having the capacity upto 30 Tons were deployed to transport the material from the Hot Mix Plants to the highway stretches, leading to about 494 trips. To cover the distance within 19 hrs time, we have used 90 nos of Dumpers, 06 numbers of 9.5-meter sensor pavers, and numerous vehicles used in Highway construction. While carrying out the project, it was emphasized and ensured that there was no disturbance to vehicles plying on the road and all safety measures were ensured on the project highway".

The Solapur-Bijapur highway will reduce the travel time for commuters and also improve road safety. It is expected to be completed by October 2021.