INVITATION FROM PRESIDENT, INDIAN NATIONAL GROUP OF ISRM

The study of rock mechanics has assumed considerable importance because of its wide application in civil and mining engineering, petroleum, underground caverns, and metro. Considerable activities in India in the field of rock mechanics are in progress, mainly due to the execution of projects for irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, road tunnels in mountainous areas, sub-surface excavations for underground railway and storages, and also for mining purposes. Liberalisation of economy has further facilitated planning and execution of many large scale projects in India. World over, number of projects involving rock engineering, have either been completed or are under execution or under investigation.

It is planned to construct 475 hydroelectric projects in India in the coming years, to add hydro potential of about 16,000 MW by the end of 11th Plan ending March 2012 and another 30,000 MW by end of 12th Plan ending March 2017, which would involve construction of dams on comparatively weaker foundations as good sites in general are not available and also construction of about 2000 km length of hydro tunnels through rocks of variable nature.

Indian Railways is executing many projects in difficult terrain conditions. For providing rail connectivity to various states falling in north India, tunneling appears to be a necessity to cross many hilly regions. Ministry of Railway, Government of India, is at present executing various railway projects in North and North Eastern regions involving an annual expenditure of more than Indian Rupees 13000 millions (USD 275 Million). Works are spread in topographically difficult terrain.

A national project to link Jammu with Kashmir Valley by about 340 km broad gauge railway line has been undertaken by Ministry of Railways involving construction of about 63 tunnels, out of which 21 have already been completed in Jammu-Udhampur sector. Works on the remaining portion is also under implementation. For the execution of this project, besides construction of tunnels in variable rock conditions, rock slope stability measures are also being given due importance.

Delhi, the national capital with the population of about 16 million ought to have had a metropolitan rapid transportation network long back as per the prevailing standards. Though late, its first phase covering 65.10 km has already been completed and the work in phase II (125 km) having a tunnel length of about 29 km is in progress. Phases III & IV have been planned for extending the metro network. Metros are also planned for other cities namely Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai etc. which would involve construction of no. of tunnels & underground works.

Thus there is a great opportunity for all agencies in India and abroad to get themselves actively involved in the development of tunnel and underground works in India. Rock engineering shall have a dominating role in the execution of these works.

It is hoped that the deliberations in the ISRM International Symposium 2010 and the 6th Asian Rock Mechanics Symposium on “Advances in Rock Engineering”, being held during 23-27 October 2010 in New Delhi, will help in formulating appropriate measures needed for successful execution of projects, related to civil and mining engineering, petroleum, underground cavern or metro.

On behalf of the organisers, I extend a cordial invitation to you all to participate and share your experiences, besides have exciting experience in this country.

Looking forward to meet you in New Delhi.

K.G. Sharma
President
Indian National Group of ISRM