The World of Cricket

Buro Happold

21/10/2011 Written by: Matthew Grant No comments

Construction of Phase I of the Pune International Cricket stadium is drawing to an end and the population of Pune is waiting with baited breath for the grand opening of where the IPL team Sahara Warriors will call home. We are equally excited; being the project managers and part of the team that are responsible for delivering India’s first world class stadium is something we are very proud of.

Work on the installation of the south stand roof truss components has gone very well – there was a considerable amount of meticulous planning that went on beforehand. The trusses are 40m long and weigh in the order of 35tonnes. Lifted in one piece, the members were secured to the tubular support masts with a single high strength steel pin and then held in place with high tensile steel rods. To complete the lifting, the contractor used a 150tonne capacity, tracked mobile crane (apparently there are only six in the world and India has two! Perhaps an indication of where the construction is happening on the globe.)

The trusses were lifted from the back of the stand, 40m from ground level. Logistically it was a difficult lift with the added complication of having to be lifted in an inclined plane. Health and Safety was a very important element of the work given the height that the components were being installed at. With this in mind a detailed method statement was prepared by the contractor and reviewed and implemented by the team. All the erection staff wore harnesses and the trusses were installed with rope ladders already attached for safe access. The installation of all twelve trusses took approximately 6 weeks with no health and safety breaches.

Installation of the fabric roof is now underway and, when complete, will provide the final ‘crown’ to the south stand.

Outside of the stadium, planting is underway along with other aspects of the hard landscaping, perimeter fencing and turnstiles.

Mains power has just been connected so commissioning of the MEP systems and lighting masts can get going. The pitch lighting masts are a very important aspect – all IPL matches are played at night so the illumination has to be pitch perfect! Six standby generators are located at the back of the facility ready to kick in if the power fails, a requirement of the International Cricket Council.

Work is due to complete by 31st December 2011 and we are really looking forward to seeing the result!