Sheladia Associates, Inc.

This project is a component of the third phase of NHAI’s National Highways Development Project (NHDP-III) for widening on BOT basis to 4/6 lanes of 10,000 km of the high density corridors and sections of national highways in India. The project road, a section of NH-49 from Madurai to Dhanushkodi, is vital for the economic development of the coastal strip between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. The road passes through Rameswaram; site of the Dakshina Kasi holy shrine. Rameswaram is one of the most important symbols of Indian culture, religion, civilization, and philosophy. The existing road has a two-lane carriageway to Km 178 and from there only a single lane, with the last 4 km of the project being only sand. The 186-km road study includes widening of the existing 2-lane carriageway to a 4-laned road; design of 1 major bridge, 16 minor bridges, 200 culverts, cross-drainage structures, 3 road over bridges, and 2 flyovers; 35 km of bypasses around four towns; drains; bus bays/bus shelters and truck lay byes; intersections; toll plaza, administrative and maintenance buildings, service buildings, and rest areas; landscaping; and Highway Traffic Management System (HTMS) for this 186-km BOT road.

Brief Description of Services Provided

• Review of all available reports and published information about project road and project influence area
• Environmental and social impact assessment, including cultural properties, natural habitats, involuntary resettlement, etc.
• Public consultation, including consultation with communities located along the road, NGOs working in the area, other stakeholders and relevant government departments, in all project phases
• Identification of possible improvements to existing alignment and bypassing of congested locations with alternatives, evaluation of different alternatives comparison on techno-economic and other considerations, and recommendations regarding most appropriate option
• Traffic studies including traffic surveys and axle-load survey and demand forecasting for the next 30 years
• Inventory and condition surveys for road, bridges, cross-drainage structures, and drainage systems
• Detailed topographic surveys using Total stations and GPS
• Pavement investigations; investigation of required sub-grade and subsoil characteristics and strength for road and embankment design, and sub soil investigation; and identification of sources of construction materials
• Detailed design of road
• Detailed design of structures, with preparation of GAD and construction drawings, and cross-drainage structures and underpasses, etc.
• Identification of type and design of intersections
• Design of complete drainage system and disposal point of stormwater
• Value analysis/value engineering and project costing
• Economic and financial analyses and financing options (BOT, Annuity, SPV)
• Utilities investigations (over- and underground) and relocation plans; studies of trees to be felled and planted and land acquisition requirements including schedule; reports, drawings arrangement, and estimates for cutting of trees and shifting of utilities from concerned departments
• Preparation of detailed project report, cost estimates, approved-for-construction drawings, rate analysis, detailed bill of quantities, and bid documents for execution of civil works through budgeting resources and on BOT basis
• Contract packaging and implementation schedule.
• Design of toll plaza and identification of quantity and location of office/residential complexes, including working drawings
• Design of weigh stations, parking areas, and rest areas, as well as other user-oriented facilities
• Coordination with existing and planned works of MORT&H, NHAI, and other Indian agencies
• Preparation of social plans for project-affected populations as per policies of lending agencies and the Government of India R & R Policy.