L&T Ecc Division, Dhamara Port Project

The site office for the Dhamara Port Project is located at Trishalpur, near Charampa in the Bhadrak district of Orissa. It is a very practical setup right near the construction area. The building is a basic structure designed to withstand the heavy rains we get in this part of the country. Inside, the floor is usually a bit muddy because of the workers coming in from the port site. We have long tables where we spread out the large port blueprints. The air is often thick with humidity, and the sound of the ocean isn't far off, though you mostly hear the heavy machinery. We have a small kitchenette where we make tea and heat up our tiffins. The furniture is mostly metal and plastic because it’s easier to clean. There are whiteboards on the walls filled with scribbled notes about cargo berths and dredging schedules. We don't have a fancy lobby or a receptionist. If someone needs us, they just walk into the main room. It can get quite loud with the wind and the trucks, but we are used to it. The staff mostly lives in the surrounding villages or in Bhadrak town. It is a long day’s work every day, and this office is our main hub. We focus on the daily progress and making sure the logs are updated. It’s a tough environment but it’s where the work happens.