Blue Star executes another award-winning project in urban mobility

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Karnataka and was set up to execute the Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro) project.

Blue Star was awarded the Environmental Control System (ECS) contract for a package of seven underground stations of Namma Metro.

The general consultant for the project was M/s RITES.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd, Bangalore

Prestigious ProjectsDecember 2016

Project ScopeBlue Star was awarded the ECS contract valued at `107 crores. The scope of the project consisted of supply, installation, testing and commissioning of air conditioning, ventilation and smoke exhaust.

The air conditioning and ventilation scope of the project consisted of 7400TR of air conditioning system, one million sq ft of fully boxed ducting, 0.2 million sq ft of fire rated painting, 24 km of piping, 300 ventilation fans, 113 electrical panels, 130 km of cabling, PLCs with complete building management system integration of the station systems and controls.

ChallengesIn underground stations, movement of trains cause a piston effect, bringing hot air on the platform. Cooling air dumping was used to compensate for this air displacement, whereby a concentrated high volume of cool air was brought on to the platform area during an entry of a train.

Protection to the air conditioning in a platform, from heat dissipating from the trains’ condenser fans, was also provided for by means of pre-aligned Over-Track Exhaust (OTE) outlets.

Additionally, given Bangalore’s pleasant climate through three quarters of the year, an energy conservation process was set in place, where fresh air is inducted into the existing ducting works through a series of dampers, thus resulting in significant energy savings.

To ensure safe and eco-friendly waste disposal in the garden city, non-bio-degradable debris was disposed of through a government certified agency. The heavy traffic in the heart of Bangalore city made moving heavy equipment to individual stations from central stores a challenge.

Blue Star mobilised and ensured an average manpower of 650-700 workers who were required daily, in spite of a scarcity of manpower comfortable working underground.

Working at 12 metres below ground level in conditions of year-round dampness, humidity and darkness, with poisonous reptiles for company, result in a high rate of fatigue among the workers. Blue Star overcame all the challenges and executed the project within the specified timelines without hampering productivity.

For more information, please contact: Email: EMPG@bluestarindia.com • Visit us at: www.bluestarindia.com

AccomplishmentsThis project included several noteworthy certified products and services.

The project made use of:

• AHRI-certified chillers

• CTI-approved cooling towers

• AMCA-certified fans

• UL 555 S standard smoke dampers

• SMACNA standard duct work

• TAB-approved testing and balancing of environment/air conditioning/ventilation systems

• Equipment satisfying all Green Building requirements

• NFPA-compliant ventilation control and smoke/exhaust system

• Free cooling system design

Blue Star received appreciation from the Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd for the outstanding performance by the team, and received the Best Quality & Safety Standards Award from the consultants.

Additionally, Blue Star was recognised for the Bangalore Metro Rail project, at the 6th edition of the Construction Week India 2016 Awards, under the MEP Contractor of the Year category.