A team from the Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS) carried out comprehensive quality tests at the Polavaram Project on Tuesday to evaluate the suitability of soil, rock, and other construction materials used in the prestigious national irrigation project.
Expert Team Conducts Inspections
The expert team comprised soil and rock specialists Anvesh, Gaurav Pandey, Uday Chakravarthy, and Harinder Singh Prakash. Recently, the CSMRS team had inspected the quality of concrete used in various project components. During this latest visit, the scientists examined soil and rock materials being utilized for the construction of the Earth Cum Rock Fill (ECRF) dam, a key structure of the Polavaram Project. Soil and rock materials are also extensively used in several other major works.
Storage Yards and Sample Collection
The team inspected storage yards where soil and rock materials earmarked for construction are stocked. Samples were collected from multiple locations and tested at the on-site laboratory within the project premises. The scientists expressed satisfaction over the quality standards being maintained. Additional soil samples were also collected for advanced testing at the central research laboratory.
Gap-1 and Gap-2 Works
The CSMRS experts further examined the quality of materials used in Gap-1 works and conducted ring tests on soil and rock already utilized in completed sections. Similar inspections and tests were carried out on soil, rock, and sand used in Gap-1 and Gap-2 construction zones.
Kothuru Site and Further Analysis
At Kothuru, the team collected soil samples prepared for use in the project and conducted preliminary tests on site. Some samples will be sent to New Delhi for detailed laboratory analysis. Officials from the Quality Control Wing of the Water Resources Department, including John, Ravi Kumar, and others, accompanied the team during the inspections.
