Hubli
The Quality Control Laboratory (QCL), established under the Hubli-Dharwad Smart City project, has been locked after it was handed over to the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). Previously managed by HD Smart City Ltd with outsourced staff, the laboratory in Hosur, now remains non-operational.
The laboratory was constructed at a cost of around Rs 56 lakh. About five-six months ago, the HDMC took over the laboratory. This laboratory can carry out various tests related to the field of civil engineering, such as ductility test, CBR value test, soundness test, penetration test, rapid moisture test, compress test, etc.
The laboatory has 28 instruments. For about two and a half years, the materials used for each work of the Smart City project were tested at QCL. More than 300 tests were conducted. One assistant executive engineer and two other staff worked on an outsourced basis while the laboratory was under Smart City Ltd.
HDMC’s Executive Engineer Vijay Kumar told that the quality and various capacities of cement, sand, cement blocks, paver blocks, and other materials (except steel) used in the civil works of the Smart City project were tested here. The soil moisture of the work site was also tested. If any defect was found, the laboratory was suitable to suggest rectification and replacement of poor-quality materials.
Vijay Kumar said that recently, the laboratory was handed over to the HDMC. Staff must be assigned to run the laboratory. Along with the Assistant Executive Engineer, three-four staff members will be hired. The corporation is filling the post of AEE, and the order is awaiting the commissioner’s signature. Soon after that, the laboratory will start functioning, he assured.
