Tata Power designs innovative transmission tower to expedite metro rail construction

 

The project team of Tata Power has designed an innovative transmission tower to ensure power supply during the ongoing construction at a Mumbai metro project site.

A release from Tata Power said that its project team has designed and proposed to build a 3-circuit high-tension transmission tower over the Mumbai Metro rail network between Amar Mahal (Ghatkopar) and Vikhroli. The tower, costing Rs.1 crore, will be erected by December 2021.

 

Carrying 220kV power lines overhead, the tower will facilitate clearance of obstructing transmission lines over the project site.

 

Objective

The main objective behind this innovative tower design was to lay down a section of the proposed network of the Mumbai Metro rail below the existing EHV transmission lines of Tata Power. In order to implement the same, a detailed analysis was carried out by the project team to arrive at an innovative design of 3-circuit (in contrast with the conventional 1-, 2- or 4-circuit towers). The project team also identified exact requirements, conducted actual site survey and gathered engineering inputs which were validated through statutory mandates, the release said.

 

Design

After finalising the structural drawing in consultation with the designing body, Tata Power’s project team proposed to raise the height of the tower from 35.7m to a record height of 50.1m without affecting the regular power supply to Mumbai Metro/MMRDA. By doing this, it aims to ensure the rapid development of public transport infrastructure while maintaining reliable, uninterrupted and quality power supply. The tower structure and foundations were designed using the STAAD PRO software which helped optimise the tower height to achieve adequate clearances.

The innovative work will now help MMRDA execute all line crossings of Metro line 2B, ML-4 and two crossings of ML-6 in adherence to Indian Railway’s and CEA regulations.

 

Tata Power project innovation has also been appreciated for this tower design at the industry level and has been awarded with a Silver Award under the Breakthrough Category of CII National KAI-ZEN Competition.

 

Also read: Tata Power Empanelled For Rs.400-Crore Solar Rooftop Drive In Kerala

Benefit

It will benefit both MMRDA and consumers at large by saving Rs.30 crore per circuit on infrastructure development and by ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the construction work. In usual circumstances, MMRDA would have been left with no option but to lay an underground network, a mammoth and daunting task to execute, Tata Power said.

 

A reliable solution

“We are proud of our project team for the innovative design to facilitate faster execution of the 3 ckt transmission tower for the prestigious Mumbai Metro rail network. These towers will be a testament of our reliable and advanced solutions to support development of advance transport infrastructure in the Mumbai city,” noted Sanjay Banga, President – Transmission & Distribution, Tata Power.

 

Note: Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is the nodal agency for the Mumbai metro rail project. The technical drawing, supplied by Tata Power, shows modified four-circuit tower (left) and modified two-circuit (right).