The second Constro Organising Committee Meeting was held on September 6th, 2013 at Hotel President, Pune.  The session began with Shri. Shrikant Nivasarkar, President PCERF, welcoming all present on the dais and in the audience for this special function based on the Pune Metro; and launch of the 3rd Constro newsletter. He mentioned that PCERF saw an alliance with the Metro project because of the theme of Constro2014 - these being the Pre-Engineered Building (PEB) and Pre-Engineered Construction(PEC) techniques.

Along with Shri. Bavadekar, Chairman-Constro 2014, he mentioned that the expo had a 43.7% booking done already.

Shri Sanjay Vaichal, gave a presentation on the various activities and media partners the team was working on.  This was followed by a presentation by Shri Naren Kothari on his China visit and the potential tie-ups there.

A short presentation on the upcoming China visit was made by Ibex Tours.

The Media Committee had put together an A/V film on PCERF and Constro that can be shown in other cities. The film gave an overview to the journey of Constro and highlighted the achievements over the years through interviews of renowned participants from India and abroad. It also showcased the themes of Constro2014 and shed light on how different and large the next event will be.

The film screening was followed by the launch of the 3rd Constro Newsletter of the year, which had a special focus on the Pune Metro. The guest of honour Shri S. D. Limaye was felicitated and asked to give his viewpoints.

Shri Limaye touched upon various points during his talk – right from how unbridled expansion of cities need good infrastructure schemes like the Metro to having a positive attitude towards such a project. He wondered why if other cities were constructing Metros, why not Pune? He emphasised that as Indians we need to be proud of our engineering achievements – an example being the Koyna Dam that has a tunnel below and the Bhadsa Dam that got built in 7 years, with a canal system. He also mentioned how the Bengaluru Metro is the world’s longest, and will cover 300-400 kms in the next few years.  Shri Limaye was in the staunch opinion that if one shows their mettle /performs well, then the funding will automatically come through; and especially from India. He categorically mentioned that India is in no way lacking in technology with respect to the world, and it is not always necessary to go by what the world has already done. Instead we can chart our own course. He concluded his talk by reiterating that the Metro will only boost business in the city, giving people the chance to choose jobs due to the ability to manage distances.

His extensive talk set forth a platform for discussions, which continued till later.

The vote of thanks and conclusion of the event was given by Shri Vishwas Lokare , Hon. Secretary , PCERF.

                                                                                                               Prepared by

                                                                                                             Darpana Athale

                                                                                                Convener, Media Committee  

A New Age Construction Innovation

Precast Building Technology has made great advents in recent times. Thanks to growing cost of money over time, shrinking time schedules and issues with getting capable manpower all have resulted in this segment getting a strong foothold in the construction industry. Speed, and the Quality, accuracy, and economy achieved using this technology has made it an “in thing” in the industry. Optimum use of material is possible due to the industrialised nature of process including pre stressing leading to judicious use of resources and also reducing wastage. The process is hence environmentally friendly as well. Pre engineered products offer neat appearance, better surface finish and are also more durable.

However doing a precast building is by no means an easy task. Every small detail related to the architectural vision and requirement of services needs to be carefully worked out prior to the manufacturing stage. A true teamwork of the Architect, Structural Consultant and manufacturer only can translate an idea into reality.

Several manufacturers working in the pre engineered building segment in steel as well as Concrete are striving hard to produce better products that catch the imagination of the professionals.

This newsletter  being published on the occasion of the seminar being held on the theme  topic “Pre Engineered Building Technologies” besides updating you on the happenings at PCERF and Constro, presents thoughts of leading professionals  engaged in this field.

                                                                                                                            Ar. Shirish Kembhavi

                                                                                                                                       Editor

“We are proud to be a part of CONSTRO continuously since 2006.

It’s a great experience that large number of prospective & known, unknown visitors through out

Maharashtra along with adjacent States are visiting and responding with business enquiries which is a big

gain.

It has enriched the Brand image of Kalika-500 TMT/QST bars amongst Construction field.

We feel advertisement/publicity should be enhanced & some entertainment program should be arranged

to attract more visitors.

Absolutely, no Comparison to Constro with any one. Constro itself is example of how a Exhibition should

be. Constro is a grand platform for Branding, meeting people, discussions, technical-presentation & all. It

is well organised by professionals & experts in the Construction world. In fact, people wait for Constro to

see new products/technology during the exhibition.” – Kalika steel

“We have been part of Constro since 2005

It is best in the field of construction .

We get reconnected to many architects, construction company, builders and existing clients. It is a good

platform to launch new products.

Re-connection and educating the visitors is sort of a refreshing relation .

Constro should strive to See that it becomes the most preferred exhibition in India for participants and

visitors do not limit to only Pune.” – Nirmal Automation

The Constro 2014 has been launched and the countdown has begun. Its a great pleasure to brief

you about the many activities that are happening at PCERF in preparation to the event. Steady

bookings are flowing in and with more than 2000 Sqm of space already booked things are getting

lined up to deliver yet another memorable Constro exhibition.

Once again We present to you glimpses from the Past along with the experiences of stalwarts who

have contributed to building up the status of the exhibition to its present day glory. Articles from experts about the theme of the exhibition will keep you abreast with the latest trends in the field.

Automation, efficiency, sustainability are key words in today's world and the field throws up newer challenges by the day before the technologists and the manufacturers.

As a professional or an entrepreneur working in the field, you could be in need of certain material or technology which you feel is relevant to the field and important to be exhibited before a large audience. We would welcome any such demand from you which can help us to approach

the manufacturers and technologists with a wish list and try to get them on board the Constro 2014. You can send your requests to infoconstro@gmail.com. This can be a win win for all as the

fraternity can get to see what they desire and the manufacturers and technologists would get a discerning audience.

This Constro will also feature the second PCERF Constro Safety awards. Do enrol for the

competition and show the world We Care.....

Thats all for now.......More as things unfold.....

                                                                                             

                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Ar.Shirish Kembhavi 
                                                                                                                              Editor                    

Experts’ Speak

The need for a mass transit system for the ever growing city of Pune has been discussed for over a decade starting with a ring rail in eighties. But the first concrete step in this direction was to award the work of preparing a Detailed Project Report to DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation).DMRC submitted the DPR to PMC in 2009. This report basically suggested six routes with a hub at Agriculture college.

These were route1 to Nigadi ; route 2 to Hinjewadi; route 3 to Katraj; route 4 to Hadapsar; route 5 to Ramwadi and route 6 to Warje in descending order of density of traffic. However before PMC and PCMC were to act Ministry of Agriculture declared her in ability to allow any work in premises of Agriculture College. Hence DMRc for best reasons known to them prepared estimates for two route out of these. The first route is from Nigadi to Swargate(16.6kms) which is partially elevated and partially under ground while the second route is from Vanaz to Ramwadi(14.92) a totally elevated route.

When this DPR was studied by a team of retired senior Railway officers settled in Pune , a plethora of technical errors and lacunas were noticed in this report. They made numerous representations but the PMC just did not want to look at them. By this time number of serious flaws were also noticed by the Citizen's Committee consisting of architects , town planners etc. in the alignment of Vanaz- Ramwadi Route. They also held number of meetings with commissioner as well as prominent corporators and local MPs without much results. The general body of PMC approved the DPR as it is in 2010 and sent it to Mumbai for approval of the State Govt.

Some of the objections raised by these committees and some of which later on are being pursued by Janwani of Maratha Chamber Of Commerce, Industriesand Agriculture Pune are as under:

i. Least traffic density corridors, shown in the DPR, are recommended for implementation as top

priorities corridors. This need a review of priorities.

ii. Traffic assessment done for 17 years as against a minimum of 30 years required.

iii. The two corridors do not have track connectivity resulting in duplication of depots &

inconvenience to passengers apart from additional cost.

iv. Based on the traffic directions, Pune city needs a common centralized railway station, providing

track connectivity, to all corridors in difference directions. This will eliminate physical change of

commuters from one corridor to another.

v. This report has not given any consideration to the D.P. recently published by PMC with the

result there are BRT routes running parallel to metro in some places. And the city has now expanded

much beyond the so called end points thus reducing the effectiveness of these routes.

vi. During the construction of elevated metro, the traffic on busy roads like Karve road, J.M.road

would be severely affected at least for a period of 3-5 years. As at least 9 mt of road width on these

roads will be blocked during construction the traffic during peak hours would come to a standstill in this already congested part of the city inflicting great misery on the public. No such social cost would be incurred if The Vanaz to Yeravda section of the second route is taken under ground similar to that between Shivajinagar and Swargate.

vii. Elevated metro columns would reduce road width resulting in reduction of vehicle speed or necessitating road widening by demolishing building adjoining the busy roads.

viii. The taxes proposed in DPR are as under:

a) Professional Tax at 1% of the salary of the employees.

b) A Cess on petrol and diesel sale in the city

c) Increase in FSI to 4 and its trading

d) A surcharge on the property tax in the city

e) A surcharge on the Motor Vehicle Tax in the city.

f) An entry tax on the commercial articles entering the city

Out of these c) has been looked at closely but it's impact on the life of citizen's in Pune City will be terrible

The proposal of DMRC Has been approved by State Govt last year for Vanaz Ramwadi route and PMC

has appointed an Officer on special Duty who is looking into many of these aspects and after number of

meetings with Janwani team has sent a revised proposal to State Govt.

A per DPR by 2014 this metro should have become operational when it is still on paper in 2013

                                                                                                                                   Dr. K K Gokhale
Dr. KK Gokhale is Senior Retd. Railway Engineer and has been the Managing Director of the Konkan Railways. He has been involved in several Railway projects in India and abroad. He has been critically appraising the Pune Metro proposal for its betterment on various social forums.