VADODARA, May 18: Two runners (equipment), each weighing 120 tons, of the turbine-generator units for the Sardar Sarovar Dam left Vadodara on Tuesday on their way to Kevadia Colony.The runners, which started their journey from the Kandla Port on May 13, covered the 435 kilometer journey to Vadodara in five days.It may be recalled that Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel had received the first shipment of six turbine-generator units of 200 MW each from Japan at the Kandla Port on May 11. The shipment carried 361 packages weighing about 3,000 tons and comprising three runners of 120 metric tonnes each. Each runner has a diameter of 7.4 meter. The height is 4.3 meter.The runners were placed on a specially made hydraulic trailer having 18 axles. The custom clearance, transportation and unloading job has been assigned to Express Transport Private Limited, a group company of Express Hotels.The huge machine attracted the attention of one and all en route. Arrangements were made for the comfort of supervisors and engineers accompanying the consignment. According to information, two air conditioned mobile homes with sleeping arrangements and kitchens were built for the first time in India.The trailers, along with other consignments, will reach Kevadia Colony on May 21 and will be unloaded and stacked in position by Express Transport Private Limited.During the entire transportation, the Highway Traffic Police, Roads and Bridges Department and Forest Department coordinated closely for the smooth movement of the consignment. Through the VHF radio installed in the mobile homes, the State Government is monitoring the movement of the convey from Gandhinagar. According to information, trees have not been cut for the convoy's journey.
