Shaping The Future Of India's Infrastructure

In its 75th year of operations, Patel Engineering is strategically navigating India's dynamic infrastructure landscape building iconic landmarks like the Udhampur-Srinagar Railway Tunnel, Sela Tunnel and Koyna Hydroelectric project, among others. RUPEN PATEL, Chairman & Managing Director, Patel Engineering talks to ASHISH SINHA about the achievements, projects and much more. Excerpt:

On the performance of Patel Engineering in construction industry
Patel Engineering excels in construction, especially in hydropower, tunnelling, and irrigation. Notable projects include Ghatghar Dam, which was built in the ninth-quickest time using roller-compacted concrete or RCC; the Sawra Kuddu Hydroelectric project that is the first in India to feature the piano key weir design; and the Rampur Hydro Electric project boasting Asia's largest surge shaft. Additionally, the company executed the Koyna Hydroelectric project, Asia's first lake tapping project, and the Sela Tunnel project, the world's longest bi-lane tunnel at over 13,000 feet altitude, showcasing our diverse expertise and commitment to impactful infrastructure solutions.

On the role of being a nation-builder 
Our order book, which stood at Rs 19,134 crore as of December 2023, is steadily expanding, and expected to reach around Rs 25,000 crore by the end of FY25, thereby reinforcing our position as a market leader. With its established dominance in the hydropower sector, we are poised to capitalise on opportunities valued at over Rs 4 lakh crore in the next 4-5 years, leveraging India's favourable conditions such as low labour and construction material expenses.

On the importance of the Udhampur Srinagar Railway Tunnel
Our ground-breaking achievement in the construction of the Udhampur-Srinagar Railway Tunnel, which completed arch lining of 775 meters in a record time of just one month, highlights our unparalleled expertise in tunnelling. This exceptional feat not only sets a new benchmark in infrastructure development but also significantly contributes to India's transportation network, enabling seamless all-weather connectivity between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country.

On its dominance in hydroelectric projects
We successfully delivered around 40 hydroelectric projects nationwide, boasting a combined capacity of 11,000 MW. To meet the country's energy demand at a faster pace and achieve the targeted 500 GW of renewable energy, there has been an increased focus on hydropower generation in India. Currently, there are about 18 GW of hydropower projects under construction, of which Patel Engineering is involved in around 8 GW, or around 45 per cent of the total ongoing projects.

On initiatives taken to promote sustainable practices
Through sustainable design practices and innovative technologies, we aim to minimise ecological footprints while maximising long-term benefits. The implementation of the tower belt system in place of the traditional dumpers is one example. 

As told to Ashish Sinha