Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs from Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 21: KEF Infra, the infrastructure arm of the Singapore-based KEF Holdings, on Wednesday October 21 delivered India’s first wholly factory-made residential project called 'MeridiYEN' to Yenepoya University.
The project was inaugurated by district incharge minister Ramanath Rai.
Faizal E Kottikollon, founder-chairman of KEF Holdings, symbolically handed over the complex to Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor of Yenepoya University. The event was attended by 300 distinguished guests.
Health minister U T Khader released the newsletter 'KEF Chronicles'. Addressing the gathering, Khader said, "The government is contemplating construction of cost-effective buildings using the latest technology. By using such technology for construction of government buildings, we can achieve a high rate of development with minimal funds.
Addressing the gathering, Faizal Kottikollon said the new complex marked many firsts in India’s construction industry. "This complex is made using offsite technology in its entirety. All elements of the buildings were manufactured at KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri, which, once completed in December this year, will be the world's largest integrated facility for offsite construction," he said.
"KEF is committed to creating a socio-economic impact in India by introducing path-breaking technologies. Our initial focus is on three key sectors - infrastructure, education and healthcare. In line with India government's vision of 'Make in India', our primary focus is on infrastructure development by bringing in the best global practices, technologies and processes and integrate them to ensure enhanced quality benchmark and a significant reduction in time and money spent. This is evident from the fact that we were able to handover the Yenepoya’s residential project in a record nine months since its groundbreaking. If the traditional methods of construction were to be deployed, a project of this magnitude would have taken up to two to three years to complete," he added.
"We are the only company in the world to design, pre-engineer and manufacture every element of a building ranging from wall panels, hollow core slabs, bathrooms, facades and windows to doors. The perfect finish, superb construction quality and speed of delivery underscore our expertise in infrastructure development, precast blocks, prefabricated bathrooms, joinery and aluminum glazing," said Kottikollon.
Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor of Yenepoya University, said, "For Yenepoya University, the first private university in the district of Dakshina Kannada, the decision to become the first client of KEF Infra is further testimony to our rich tradition of embracing innovation and new technologies."
MLC Ivan D'Souza released the annual report of Yenepoya Research Institute and said, "I will hold discussions with higher officials of the government about the possibility of constructing new buildings using the latest technology. Work on government buildings does not finish even after five years of the government's term, and usually, between the first budget and the fifth, the cost would have escalated from Rs 5 crore to Rs 25 crore. This problem can only be solved if construct buildings using new technologies. Moreover, if Mangaluru has to become a Smart City, it is best that such technology is used.
Nalin Kumar Kateel, member of parliament, Dakshina Kannada, B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, chairman of BA Group and others were present.
Dr Akhter Hussain proposed the vote of thanks.
About the project
The 'MeridiYen' project, comprising three 8-storey residential buildings covering an area of 1 lac sq ft, was completed in record nine months, and marks the successful initiation of a game-changing offsite construction technology that helps significantly reduce the duration of construction. In comparison, conventional construction methods would have taken anywhere between 24 and 36 months to complete a project of similar size.
The complex for staff and students, comprising 96 apartments, with each floor featuring 12 two-bedroom units, was completely designed, pre-engineered and manufactured at KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. The state-of-the-art facilities is the only plant in the world to design, pre-engineer and manufacture every element of a building, which include wall panels, hollow core slabs, bathrooms, facades, windows, doors etc - at a single location.
KEF’s team meticulously planned the construction schedule of the project. The task involved the seamless coordination and transportation of the fully finished prefabricated elements from KEF Infra One to the site office at Yenepoya University campus in Mangaluru.
The project’s 208 bathrooms were fully prefabricated, inclusive of all mechanical, electrical and plumping works, sanitary wares, tiling and fittings. Innovative graphic concrete technology from Finland was used for the facade.