Press-in Method Adopted for Major Project in India

The press-in method using Giken Seisakusho Co., Ltd.'s (Headquarters: Kochi City; President and CEO: Atsushi Ohira) hydraulic pile press-in and extraction machine, the 'Silent Piler™,' has been adopted for Phase 2 of the urban redevelopment project 'Kharicut Canal Redevelopment Project' in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India. Six 'Silent Piler™' units will be delivered to Fuji Infrastructure Private Limited (FIPL), a group company of Fuji Silvertech Concrete Private Limited (FSCPL), a leading precast concrete manufacturer and Giken's Indian partner.

This project aims to reconstruct urban functions along an 80-km-long canal originally built during the British colonial era and currently used as an urban drainage channel, with the goals of flood control, traffic congestion relief, and urban sanitation improvement. In Phase 2, to construct a six-lane urban arterial road above the waterway, retaining walls will be built over approximately 10 km (about 20 km total on both banks) using the 'Silent Piler™' to install reusable steel sheet pile continuous walls. A simple and efficient process will then be implemented by installing FSCPL's box culverts (reinforced concrete drainage structures).

This adoption resulted from FSCPL's proactive proposal to incorporate Giken's technology from the planning stage. Since concluding a partnership agreement with FSCPL last July, the company has conducted market research under a close collaboration framework, continuously monitoring local market trends. Moving forward, Giken will further promote project generation and the dissemination of its technology, contributing to infrastructure development supporting India's sustainable growth.

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Construction Image

■ Overview of the 'Kharicut (Kharicut) Canal Redevelopment Project'

The Kharicut Canal, approximately 80 km long and constructed during the British India era, has long served as an urban drainage channel. However, rapid urbanization has brought challenges such as flood risks, traffic congestion, and deteriorating sanitation. This project was planned to enhance urban resilience. In Phase 1, the waterway was undergrounded and drainage infrastructure was improved, establishing a foundation for urban flood disaster countermeasures.

Current condition of the construction section (partial)

Phase 2 will further underground the waterway and construct a six-lane urban arterial road above it. Replacing the waterway with a box culvert will standardize the cross-section, improving flow efficiency. Rainwater drainage capacity will be enhanced, reducing flood risks. Additionally, the construction of a new mobility corridor connecting the northern and southern areas is expected to improve traffic flow. Preventing water pollution and mosquito breeding will also contribute to improved sanitation.

■ Construction Details

To underground the waterway into a box culvert structure and construct a six-lane urban arterial road, retaining walls will be built over approximately 10 km (about 20 km total on both banks). A total of six machines—'Silent Piler™ F111' and 'Silent Piler™ F101'—will be deployed to press in and extract approximately 50,000 U-shaped steel sheet piles, 400 mm wide and 10 m long.

Additionally, Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore; President: Hidenori Murashima), a group company of Giken, will handle the sales of the piling machines. The entire group will provide comprehensive support, from site surveys before construction to construction planning and technical guidance.

Silent Piler™ F111

■ Technical Proposal

In India, retaining wall construction typically involves excavating the ground and pouring concrete to build concrete continuous walls. For waterway structures, in-situ formwork concrete is widely used. This proposal combines Giken's press-in method to construct steel sheet pile continuous walls with FSCPL's precast concrete box culverts, achieving a simple and efficient construction process. Furthermore, Giken's unique 'vibration-free, noiseless construction' and 'compact-site construction' enable safe and rapid work while minimizing impact on the surrounding environment. In India, where urbanization and population growth are accelerating, construction sites increasingly require limited space and reduced environmental impact, making further adoption of this technology highly anticipated.

■ Project Summary

Project Name

Kharicut Canal Redevelopment Project Phase 2

Project Location

Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India

Client

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Main Contractor

Joint Venture between Konkan Railway Corporation Limited and Fuji Silvertech Concrete Private Limited

Construction Company

Fuji Infrastructure Private Limited

Equipment Used

Silent Piler™ F111: 5 units

Silent Piler™ F101: 1 unit

Pile Type and Dimensions

U-shaped steel sheet piles, approximately 50,000 units (400 mm wide, 10 m long)

Press-in Work Period

Scheduled from April 2026 to December 2028

■ Giken Group Overview

Giken manufactures and sells the 'Silent Piler™,' a pile press-in and extraction machine that pioneered the practical application of the 'press-in principle' worldwide. The company proposes and implements solutions leveraging its unique advantages. Vibration-free, noiseless, space-saving, and temporary-structure-free construction enables the rapid building of resilient infrastructure capable of withstanding earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. The one-of-a-kind value provided by press-in technology contributes to solving global construction challenges and national disaster prevention, with adoption records in over 40 countries and regions.