Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) is a multipurpose river valley project currently under construction across the river Narmada to irrigate 17.92 lakh hectare annually in the State of Gujarat. The main dam and hydropower works are under progress. The construction work of various canals of SSP, Gujarat State is in full swing. The Narmada Main Canal (NMC) of the SSP is the largest irrigation lined canal in the world. The total length of NMC is 458 km. having a capacity of 1133 cumecs (40,000 cusecs) at head and 71 cumecs (2500 cusecs) at tail. The NMC and its branch canals in Phase-I (ch. O to 144.5 km.) are completed whereas works of distribution system are nearing completion. The NMC works in Phase-II A (Ch. 144.5 km. to 264 km.) are also almost completed and its branches are under progress. The NMC works in Phase-II B (i.e. Ch. 264 km to 357 km) are in progress and planned to be completed by September, 2003 and its branch canals are under progress. The work of Saurashtra Branch Canal (total length 104 km.) and its branches are under progress and the work of Kutch Branch Canal (total length 307 km.) are to be taken up shortly. Thus, large quantum of canal works are to be taken up shortly by SSP.

• The entire work of SSP can be broadly divided into three main works:
  (a) Dam works (b) Hydro Power (River Bed & Canal Head) (c) Canal Systems.
• The technical department is headed by two Directors viz. Director (Civil) looking after Dam & Hydro Power and Canal upto 144 Km. and Director (Canals) looking after entire Canal Systems beyond 144 Km. Various Chief Engineers / Superintending Engineers / Executive Engineers etc. are working under each Directors who are fully responsible for Construction as well as Quality of works. There are separate Executive Engineers (Quality Control) who are fully under Chief Engineer (Design & Quality Control) and looking after field and laboratory testing along with observing Quality Control of all works. Moreover, they assist the field Construction Engineers in maintaining Quality Standards who are all under each Chief Engineer of works. The organization chart of Quality Control Staff under Chief Engineer (Design, QC & CPC) is enclosed as Annexure - 1.
• At present two Quality Control Units (Core Wing) headed by Superintending Engineers have been sanctioned and working. One such Quality Control Unit is working at Vadodara looking after the Phase-I canal works and another at Gandhinagar to look after the entire works of canal systems beyond NMC Ch. 144.5 Km. For above referred two Quality Control Units (Core Wing), jurisdiction of works are shown in enclosed Annexure - 2. Two Executive Engineers stationed at Vadodara are working under Superintending Engineers, Quality Control Unit-2. They are assisted by 12 Deputy Executive Engineers located at different locations to monitor various execution sites. Four Executive Engineers with 21 Deputy Executive Engineers stationed at Ahmedabad, Mehsana, Surendranagar & Radhanpur are working under Superintending Engineer, Quality Control Unit-1, Gandhinagar. One Executive Engineer at Gandhinagar and Three Deputy Executive Engineer are working under Superintending Engineer, Quality Control Unit-1, Gandhinagar to carryout field Quality Control of Canals and Inquiry cases. One Executive Engineer stationed at Vadodara with two Deputy Executive Engineers (Civil) are working under Superintending Engineer, Quality Control unit-2, Vadodara to carry out field Quality Control Works of canals and inquiry work. Quality Control Organisation (Core Wing) is also carrying out preliminary inquiry for the various cases referred by Nigam Vigilance Branch or by Government as a special case and submit preliminary inquiry reports.

• The entire construction works of canal system are being executed by various Chief Engineers (Construction) with the help of construction division and Quality / Labaoratory division working under Superintending Engineers (Quality Control). The Quality / Laboratory division has to assure that the entire work is of required quality by testing all construction materials / product and they help construction divisions in solving quality problems which arises during the execution of works.
• For carrying out day to day testing works of construction material / product, the field laboratories have been established at suitable location in the vicinity of works under progress. These field laboratories are carrying out routine field test and transmit the test results to the construction sub divisions / divisions for taking further action. Over and above field laboratories, central laboratories are also established at suitable headquarter for special tests with all required testing equipments. These central laboratories are equipped for carrying out almost all types of required tests.
• Further more in tenders of SSP canals, we have introduced a "Quality Assurance" Clause (Annexure -3) also in which Contractor has to assure about the quality of construction material / final product. The contractors have to develop their own testing laboratories also under this clause and they also submit to Nigam the test results of the construction material / final product. The suitable actions as per tender specifications are being taken on the receipt of test results, from contractors.
• TPIA namely Engineers India Limited (EIL) is working at NMC beyond 357 Km, three major structures and Kachchh Branch Canal and looking after Quality Control, on behalf of SSNNL.

• For carrying out quality control works and testing works smoothly, the Chief Engineer (Quality Control), has issued following manuals which elaborately describe the procedure for carrying out quality control works (Checklist / O.K. Cards etc.) as well as details of tests to be carried out for construction material and final product.
  • G" Guidelines for Quality Assurance & Quality Control for the various canal works.
  • G" Guidelines for Quality Assurance & Quality Control for Road works.
  • Guidelines for Quality Assurance & Quality Control for gate works.
  • Compendium of various tests for construction material.
  • Formats for forms and registers to be maintained for Quality Control works.

• The Government of Gujarat, Narmada Development Department, Gandhinagar vide its resolution No. NMD/1887/4056/47/H dated 19.10. 1987 constituted an "Expert Committee on Cement and Concrete (ECCC)" for Sardar Sarovar Project to review and evaluate the factors regarding cement and its usage. In consultation with ECCC, Nigam has identified 15 cement plants from which cement is being used in SSP works. The list of these cement plant is kept at Annexure - 4.
• At present, SSNNL has decided not to continue / reconstitute the ECCC after 31.03.2006.

• As a result of discussion with the ECCC & Board of Consultant, it was decided to use CRS bars in the construction of canals / structures where saline area (sub soil / Sub Soil water) is encountered. Accordingly SSNNL has constituted a committee vide its circular No. SBC/1198/1/N dated 30.05.1998 for the identification of manufacturer of CRS bars. This committee at present is engaged in ensuring that production by manufacturers is as per required Quality Standards and within permissible variability in respect of mechanical, chemical and corrosion properties as prescribed in relevant codes. The Committee recognizes the steel plants for pre qualification / selection of vendors which can produce the reinforced bars to satisfy technical requirements.
• List of the Steel plant identified by SSNNL is shown in Annexe - 5.
• At present Prof. N.V. Sundarmurthi of M.S. University is appointed as a consultant to identify the steel plant.

• SSNNL has decided to engage Third Party Inspection (TPI) agencies for canal works and several structures. The formal approval for engaging Engineers India Limited (EIL), New Delhi as a TPI agency has also been accorded by Nigam. The list of works entrusted for TPI is shown in Annexe - 6.