Geepas Tower, an upcoming development in the UAE, entered the Guinness World Records along with the project contractor Gulf Asia Contracting (GAC) - the construction arm of the multi-billion-dollar business conglomerate RP Group - for completing the largest continuous concrete pour (of 19,793 cu m for 42 hours) in the world.

The Dh600-million ($163 million) mid-rise residential tower, which will come up in Al Barsha, Dubai, is owned by Western International Group.

The stellar milestone in the history of the UAE’s construction sector was accomplished this month with the help of over 600 skilled workers undertaking the job in multiple shifts.
 
The concrete for the project was provided by Unibeton Ready Mix, while Chawla Architectural and Consulting Engineers is the project consultant.

The concrete for the project was delivered by Unibeton Ready Mix, which engaged more than 300 transit mixers making more than 2,500 trips from more than three plants to deliver the concrete required for the project.

The concrete pouring was carried out by massive installations of 14 concrete pumps on site with an additional 5 pumps on stand-by. More than 3,000 tonnes of steel were used and 150,000 Man Hours have been put into constructing the raft of the building.

On the record achievement, Dr Ravi Pillai, the chairman of RP Group, said: "This is an impressive feat by GAC which highlights our proven strengths in undertaking complex projects, which demand seamless operational efficiency and top-notch construction expertise."

"We are thankful to Western International Group for awarding us the contract, and by setting the record for the largest continuous concrete pour in the world, we are highlighting our commitment to deliver the contract as per schedule," he stated.

"We also thank all our partners who associated with us on the project and our professional team members, whose dedication and experience made this possible," he added.

KP Basheer, the chairman of Western International Group, said: "We are extremely proud of this historic accomplishment that adds to the pride of Geepas Tower, the first mega project in our real estate venture. This successful milestone and achieving a Guinness title has set the brand on an international landscape and it is an overwhelming feeling of victory."

"We are confident of delivering a truly high-quality residential development that will add to the quality of life of our residents in the country. I would like to congratulate the entire team that has toiled day and night for this project to make it possible," he stated.

Nizar TN, the executive director, Western International Group, said: "We are immensely happy with this  Guinness World Records title. We have acquired more than 18 plots in the UAE and are looking forward to bigger challenges."

"The record achievement, and with the support of UAE Government, has given us the confidence and strength to develop and deliver bigger planned projects as fast as possible," he added.

Sreekanth Ramachandran, the manager (Projects) at GAC, said: "With a built-up area of 1.5 million sq ft, the tower is another of the major undertakings by the company in the UAE."

"By accomplishing the record to the highest standards of health, safety and environment best practices, we have proved our expertise in undertaking large-scale projects that call for meticulous planning and seamless on-ground execution strategies," he remarked.

Ayman Salah Bustami, the senior vice president of Unibeton Ready Mix, said: "Since the early 1990s, Unibeton has been at the forefront of ready-mixed concrete innovation in the Gulf region. We are extremely honoured to have participated in such a monumental achievement."

"A Guinness title is not something which comes along every day. On behalf of the management of the Al Fara’a Group, I would like to congratulate Geepas for the vision to embark on such an attempt and wish them every success in completing the project, he stated.

Amar Chawla, the chairman of Chawla Architectural and Consulting Engineers, said: "We are proud to be associated with this prestigious tower project as the main engineering consultancy firm for the project from concept designs to handing over of the project and are delighted to get the Guinness title."

"This milestone has added one more feather in our history of achievements so far as a leading engineering consultancy firm in Dubai. The mammoth concreting in record time without any hindrance and in compliance with all local regulations and specifications reaffirms our competence and capability in executing projects of any magnitude," he added.

It was efficiently co-ordinated by the Western International Group and GAC along with Ajit Xavier, senior projects manager of Geepas, Suprabhas Balabhadran, the director of projects at Chawla Architectural and Consulting Engineers and the concrete supplier Unibeton Ready Mix.

With a built-up area of 1.5 million sq ft, Geepas Tower boasts 684 residential units, a fully-equipped gymnasium, health club, swimming pool and 730 space car park.

With two levels of basement parking, ground floor with a welcome lobby, 40,000 sq ft of retail space, and 19 floors of residences, the tower has been designed to the highest standards of aesthetics and is scheduled for completion in March 2018.-TradeArabia News Service