By Staff Correspondent
The Buildings Business of Larsen & Toubro has set a record by constructing the seven-storey, state-of-the-art Flight Control System (FCS) Integration Facility for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in just 45 days using Integrated Hybrid Modular Construction Technology (IHMCT). The facility was inaugurated on 17 March 2022, by the Minister of Defence, Government of India, Rajnath Singh in the august presence of Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence Research and Development (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO and other dignitaries.
“This facility shows that India can build anything in a short time,” praised DRDO Chairman, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, adding that while the concept and technical design were developed by DRDO and detailed engineering and execution by L&T, teams from IIT-Madras and IIT-Roorkee conducted design checks and provided technical support.
A significant development to modernise and enhance the strategic capabilities of the Indian Defence, the facility is the result of L&T’s unique integrated offsite and onsite construction approach. “We adopted IHMCT, used for the first time in the Indian construction industry, to substantially reduce the cycle time with a dedicated team of engineers, architects and structural designers who have worked on it to make it a success,” remarked Whole Time Director and Senior Executive Vice President (Buildings), L&T, M V Satish. “We commenced the project on 1 February 2022, and completed the superstructure including modular interiors, façade and MEP exactly on schedule on 17 March 2022, taking just 45 days from design to delivery”, he added.
Constructed on a total built-up area of 130,000 square feet, the site team had to coordinate with 21 off-site locations to integrate design, structure, architecture, and MEP services. Going forward, this hybrid construction system developed by L&T will help increase productivity, optimise resource utilisation, reduce losses due to wastage and speed up the pace of construction.
