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He has just joined L&T GeoStructure on January 10^th, 2022, but Subrata Ray is already in the thick of things at the piling & ground improvement works for the MSB unit at Numaligarh refinery in Assam as Construction Manager (lead construction). “I am extremely proud that this has been one of my best projects,” he enthuses. “I am delighted that I successfully completed one of my earlier projects one day ahead of the completion date and am proud that I have been able to serve at such an important foundation project that makes India proud!”

To begin with, however, it was heavy going for Subrata and team had to face the challenges of working inside a refinery where communication was a major issue, a particularly heavy monsoon rendering the ground extremely slushy and difficult for piling, the scarcity of water for their stone column activities and the constant headache of solving workmen issues with the local unions. “We resolved the communication issue by establishing internet connectivity, and using land phones and walkie talkies,” he explains. “To combat the slushy conditions, we brought steel plates to move heavy machinery, and laid Pota mats for vehicle movement and for the temporary approaches that helped us to continue work during the rains. We used raw water and fire hydrant from the client to meet our water requirements.”

That their execution team was full of young engineers, and all new to the job was not a drawback for them as Subrata points out. “We trained all of the youngsters to strictly follow all the technical specifications to execute the board cast in-​situ piling work. Our senior team also closely monitored the required equipment, material and manpower to help me achieve my target,” he says, grateful for their support. He is pleased that right through the project, they were able to follow and maintain the highest standards of safety & quality. “We constantly strove to improve our safety, planning, execution, store and P&M activities.” He adds that through their efforts, they saved on fuel and reduced the impact on the environment.

At the end of the day, the question is whether one has met the Client’s expectations and Subrata is convinced that he and his team have met their brief. “Our client has appreciated our efforts for achieving our target and awarded an additional scope of Rs. 25 cores of work to our existing contract.”

is an apt quote that captures the essence and the relevance of ‘appreciation’ in the work context. Young K Karthikeyan believes in it implicitly and is in fact, a trifle disappointed that it is not being practiced enough. “Appreciating is a very simple practice but more often than not missed among us,” he remarks. “As the saying goes “Train people and catch them doing good.” Appreciating people in front of their team has a huge impact in cultivating a culture of safety and quality among the rest of the team members.”

Karthikeyan’s freshness of thought and approach is welcome from a relative newcomer, having joined L&T GeoStructure on January 17^th, 2022. To start with, he was involved in the ground improvement works for the Mumbai Coastal Road Project after which he is currently at the NRL Expansion Activity, in Assam, looking after the piling and ground improvement works at the MSB unit.

It is well known that for a project to have high quality and safety standards, it is imperative for the subcontractors to follow those standards and Karthikeyan’s main challenge has been to make them imbibe those standards. “Frequent training sessions, meetings and appreciations have to a large extent made them understand and appreciate the value of this culture which has proved to be very helpful to push our project forward,” he points out purposefully.

“This effort has helped us enormously for by accepting, internalizing and maintaining high standards of quality and safety and making them a habit, we are being recognized and appreciated by even dignitaries from the client.” His happy expression is indicative of his and his team’s success, that he also attributes to digitalization. “Getting digitalised has converted a complex system into an easy workflow that is the backbone to run the project.”

“I am proud to be a part of nation building,” he declares, quickly acknowledging the support and cooperation he has been receiving at site. “My seniors are a huge moral support who guide me at the right time when and where needed that has gone a long way to help me complete my various tasks,” shares a grateful Karthikeyan.

Still single, Karthikeyan hails from Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu. “I like to read and split my day between professional and personal time to make time for my hobby,” he smiles. His best personal moment was receiving his first bike on completing college. “Being a civil engineer by passion and profession, every day at site is a memory for life and a lesson to be learnt,” he concludes on a philosophical note.

For specialists in ground improvement works, the success of L&T GeoStructure to a large extent depends on the efficiency of men and machinery. Jayaprakash Rajendran is focused on these to ensure delivery. “I constantly study to bring about continuous improvement and am dedicated to value engineering and waste reduction,” he says, with fervour. “I also refer to several international journals to improve my knowledge.”

Currently, he is busy at the Project Ground Improvement & Foundation Numaligarh Refinery Extension project in Assam, after stints at the DCIS piling project at Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, the MEG project (DCIS piling) at Paradip, and the Flood Protection work at Kolkata, West Bengal since joining L&T GeoStructure in 2018. “During my college days, it was my dream to get placed in L&T and now I am proud that my dream has come true,” he shares with feeling. “It is a great opportunity for me to work on national and international projects that add value to human society through sustainable development.”

While the short supply of oxygen affected his operations during the days of the pandemic, Jayaprakash’s issues since then have been labour-​related, moving concrete on slushy approach roads and driving mechanisation in sheet piling. “We plan our activities well and overcame risk through continuous improvement towards waste reduction and value addition by motivating all our workmen and subordinates,” he shares his mitigation plans. “We actively participate in PEP talks to educate the workmen on safety aspects and timely execution.”

Apart from handling labour issues and closely monitoring and coordinating effective P&M utilization, he flags off the introduction of the plasma cutting machine to offset the short supply of oxygen cylinders. “By way of continuous improvement, we installed an 18 cum batching plant to meet the concrete needs, deployed 11 excavators and drove sheet pile unitisation to improve pace of execution,” he points out. “I always motivate my team members and guide them that are really the reasons for my success and that of the project,” he says, praising his team for their contribution.

The result is there for all to see. Jayaprakash is delighted that L&T has been awarded Rs. 25 Crores of additional work for their excellent performance. “At site, we have established a solid dewatering system and prepared a good approach road for our various activities, set up proper entry and exits for the workmen and staff and took full control of execution, that has impressed our client,” he smiles.

“My most memorable personal moment was when I received my confirmation letter from L&T,” says a beaming S Shanmuganathan, who joined the ranks as a DET on August 1^st, 2019. His L&T GeoStructure experience has been good thus far for as he says, “The one aspect about L&T that makes me proud is that everyone is committed to best quality and safety so that the nation is provided with the best of infrastructure and, at the same time, people working at L&T have huge opportunities for growth.”

Tracing his own growth in the organization, Shanmuganathan reveals that his first assignment was at the Sea Water Intake and Outfall project at Uppur, Tamil Nadu, in the precast yard and thrust block in the Execution Department after which he worked at the BPCL project, Krishnapattnam, in ground improvement and ring wall. “I was transferred in January 2022 to my current posting here at the NREP project in Assam for piling and ground improvement works in the Execution Department as Engineer (Civil).”

Two challenges Shanmuganathan faces at site are the unpredictable weather and working with huge machines in congested spaces. “We have proper accessories to work in every weather condition and conduct toolbox talks to help workmen face this challenge,” he informs. “We also discuss the work to be done with machineries with the P&M Department and operators prior to executing them at site so that we are aware of the problems that could arise and how they can be handled.”

He is delighted to be working with a team that is determined and focused to delight their client in terms of quality, safety, and productivity. “In fact, at all my three projects thus far, both my seniors and colleagues have not left any stone unturned to solve problems with utmost dedication that I have raised before them,” he says, thanking his colleagues.

On his personal front, Shanmuganathan has been using the ATL Next app to increase his knowledge and improve his practical behavior. “I have also been using the RAPL app for the interesting quizzes that are organized on the platform and these apps have helped me grow professionally in the various walks of work.”

Still single, Shanmuganathan, who hails from Kalingrayanpalayan, in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district, loves to listen to music, play badminton and watch movies and yes, he nods, “I do get free time to follow my hobbies,” he laughs.

“Professionally, my best moment was when the ground improvement work at BPCL was successfully completed, handed over to the client and the Project Manager appreciated the entire team for executing the project smoothly and completing it in time,” he says, with eyes gleaming.