Abstract

Logistical and regulatory safety issues that result from the transport of over-dimensional cargo (ODC) impose significant difficulties due to unique characteristics associated with project cargo. The study assessed an entire route to evaluate if it could accommodate a 72 MT ODC shipment travelling from Siliguri to Sevoke via Melli to Rangpo as part of the PGCIL Rangpo Project. Conducting research using a case study methodology that used a field-based approach identified critical infrastructure barriers that would pose obstruction for transporting ODC via steel truss bridges, ghat sections, railway level crossings, narrow city streets, and access roads that are susceptible to landslide events. The project utilized the Critical Path Method (CPM) as a tool to schedule and analyze project activity to arrive at a minimum duration of 24 days. There were several steps that needed to occur before the project could be fulfilled, including the completion of route surveys, obtaining statutory approvals, developing site-access roads, conducting night-time movement of ODC, and completing the final placement operation of the ODC at its delivery location. A float analysis and correlation analysis produced the finding that the most significant risk is represented by regulatory approvals. The presence of hidden project risk includes the limited flexibility of schedule associated with near-critical-path project activities, where only one-day flexibility exists in the schedule. The study results suggest that the successful transport of ODC only results in mutually cooperative efforts between organizations involved in building the required infrastructure and coordinating the operations of all transportation modes.