Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) has completed a technically demanding rock dredging project at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), marking a significant advancement in the country’s maritime infrastructure capabilities.

The project involved high-precision drilling and controlled blasting in hard rock formations with a compressive strength of up to 180 MPa, a feat achieved in close proximity to critical marine assets. The execution of this work has enabled the port to reach and maintain the navigational draft essential for efficient vessel movement and uninterrupted operations.

The work included the complex task of dismantling and refitting sixteen berth fenders, all while operating near a liquid cargo berth and an active landing jetty. Due to the sensitivity of the surroundings, independent technical agencies—including Anna University, Chennai; the National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Bengaluru; and the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal—were engaged to provide continuous monitoring of vibration levels, structural responses, and other critical parameters.

Operations were further constrained by a restriction that limited blasting to daytime hours, reducing the effective execution window by nearly fifty percent.

To mitigate risks, the project team implemented a comprehensive safety framework that included a ₹200 crore insurance cover for the adjoining jetty infrastructure.

“The completion of this project is expected to serve as a benchmark for complex rock dredging works in India, reinforcing the role of the Visakhapatnam-headquartered company in delivering specialized marine engineering solutions for the nation’s port-led development,” a DCI official said on Wednesday.