NEM construction accelerates construction boom:

Main sub-contractor of Colombo - Katunayake Expressway

By Jayasri Jayakodi

The infrastructure facilities of a country have to be improved if that country is to attain development. The scenario in Sri Lanka after the ending of the 30 year conflict is of a country that is on the fast track to development. Mega construction projects such as the Southern Expressway, Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport, Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Harbour and the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (CKE) are ample testimony to that. NEM Construction (Pvt) Limited is the main sub-contractor of the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway Project and their services were commended by China Metallurgical Group Corporation, the contractor for the project, one of the largest companies in the world and listed among the world's 500 largest companies (Fortune 500).

Asked for his comments about their achievements and involvement in this project, NEM Chairman / Managing Director - Raja Nanayakkara a Chartered Civil Engineer says that they are indeed very proud of their achievements and particularly happy about the fact that Employer - Road Development Authority, Consultant - SMEC and the Main Contractor - China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) all have appreciated the immense contribution made by NEM towards the successful completion of this prestigious project. The experiences gained by them are invaluable and will help them in good stead in their future projects.

NEM Construction was the main subcontractor for this project. They were involved in the project from Land Preparation. This terrain is one of the most difficult as the ground conditions were marshy and the presence of a peat layer. Hence Soft Ground Treatment was necessary. In addition, various methods were adopted to accelerate settlement Ex: by way of Pre-Loading etc. NEM was involved in Sea Sand Filling works, Earth Filling, Construction of Aggregate Base Course (ABC) and some parts of Asphalt Laying.

Two layers of ABC was placed with the top layer with Cement stabilization, thus ensuring a much stronger base prior to laying of Asphalt. This method of cement stabilization was used for the first time in Sri Lanka in a highway construction.

NEM started work in September 2010. The project was effectively completed in September 2013, but NEM crews were doing minor jobs right till official opening of the Expressway.

At the peak of operations, about 400 units of heavy machinery were used out of which nearly 300 Dump Trucks for transportation of Sea Sand and Earth. NEM owns the largest fleet of heavy machinery in private construction sector in Sri Lanka, with 410 units and also the largest fleet of Dump Trucks with 242 units.Hence NEM had no difficulty in meeting stringent time schedules given to them even during the most challenging periods of construction activities.

NEM have participated in some of the largest infrastructure development projects such as Seethawaka Industrial Estate, Biyagama Export Processing Zone, Sothern Expressway etc. At present NEM is handling large number of Road Development Projects in different parts of the country in excess of 200 kms. NEM Construction (Pvt) Ltd was established in the year 1980. Now they are one of the foremost construction companies in Sri Lanka specially in road construction, water supply and infrastructure development. With about 850 full time employees and over 300 casual employees, NEM provides employments to over 1150.

In addition to the large fleet of heavy machinery and dump trucks at their disposal, NEM owns large scale Metal Quarries in strategic locations in Sri Lanka and operating 05 Nos. Metal Crusher Plants and 04 Nos. Asphalt Plants to cater to their own road development projects.

Fully equipped Base workshop at Ekala is capable of carrying out any major repairs to heavy machinery and in addition NEM has in house laboratory facilities to carry out all necessary test associated with construction projects.