Complexity drives and defines Baroda-based JH Parabia, a name that has left an indelible mark in the over-dimensional cargo (ODC) segment for close to five decades.
Known to execute ‘abnormal’ loads normally, the Baroda-based JH Parabia Transport Ltd. has bought a 550-tonne girder bridge from the TII Group’s KAMAG Transporttechnik in order to further enhance its reputed service of efficient and timely execution of complex yet crucial ODC handling. Said Mr. Zarksis Parabia, Director: “We are excited about the new girder bridge and are going to deploy it to transport 310 tonnes transformers for our clients ABB, Siemens, TBEA and Generator Stators of 500 tonnes for Bharat Heavy Electricals.
Speaking of JH Parabia’s role, he added: “We position ourselves as a company whose job is not merely transportation but provide end-to-end solution, so that the clients do not have to wander with many contractors. We will load the transformer, transport, unload and do complete erection testing commissioning (ETC) of it, and hand over it by even charging it.
It’s like a whole package which reduces the client’s dependency on multiple vendors. “One such project that the company is working on currently is on the Bhuj-Banaskantha line. Said Nekzad, Director, who also oversees the vehicle and equipment maintenance: “We have completed the job for 14 transformers of 765 KW each for Siemens and 14 Reactors for TBEA and it involves material handling and transporting. We have been able to do so on the back of our self-sufficient in-house expertise of manufacturing and using our own beams, stools, pontoons, batteries, jetty, ro-ro ramps, etc., based on the calculations of roads and project reports given by our engineers.”
Making big bigger!
Established in 1971 by Mr. Jehangir Parabia, the acting Managing Director of JHP, the company has made it big in the field of logistics, planning and execution of power, nuclear, chemical, fertilizer, wind, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas industries, deploying top of the line equipments that provides them the winning edge. JH Parabia today owns close to 221 trailers, including 178 hydraulic axle lines, 40 cranes and 55 pullers from the stables of Volvo, Scania, MAN, Kenworth, Iveco, Hippo and Beaver, which form the backbone of their process to make big consignments bigger.
While owning and deploying top-end machines is one thing, planning to use them effectively is another. Before embarking upon the logistics journey, the team comprising structural and heavy lift engineers at JH Parabia chalks out plan and possible road blocks in a feasibility study. Explaining it, Nekzad reminisced: “Last year, we deployed our infrastructure for Tata Power that is developing hydro power projects in India and Nepal with the Norway-based SN Power. However, it is in such cases that we have to conduct a route feasibility survey, in order to identify the best route and ensure smooth transit operation. Numerous permissions from State Highways, NHAI, MORTH, and other government bodies have to be obtained. It is easy these days to generate a permission online upto 169 tonnes, but above that load there is a window of 30 days, during which MORTH seeks information on the types of road, load it can carry, overhead wire clearance, bridges, railways crossings clearances, identification of slabs and pillars, if any. While we generate the permission based on our study, we have the benefit to enter the trailer number at last, as we don’t know which product or equipment will be going for the particular assignment while seeking the permission.”
Throughout the entire operations the client is kept in loop of the progress. Even during our conversation, we can see Mr. Zarksis excusing himself to attain to clients’ queries. “Unlike normal haulage, we have to keep our clients updated on the progress, unloading time, ETC team on the field, etc. There is a lot of personalized services that we give so we are always available for the clients. Not demeaning anyone, anybody can approach us. Apart from this of course the update is also done in the system, ones an equipment goes for loading. The engineering team issues method sheets, loading diagrams and loading calculations, determining each and every aspect of the ODC to be moved. In a nutshell, we don’t let infrastructural challenges hinder our journey. Our ace engineering team designs solutions that eliminate the risk based on the extensive route study where complex infrastructural problems are identified.”
After the apex court judgement to move anything beyond 49 tonnes on hydraulic trailers, there has been a surge into the companies offering ODC movements. However, Mr. Zarksis keeps faith on his company’s experience and ability to handle personalized high-value consignments and can qualify on the prerequisite, audits and certification that clients look into a transporter. “Not only do we possess the much-needed technical expertise, we also have the experience to carry out large operations. Our company has a proven and successful track record in designing, systemizing and supervising heavy transport, with on-the-go civil engineering support and have collectively handled approximately 4.15 million metric tonnes of ODC components.”
“We are regularly updating our fleet and procuring new equipments and our fleets and equipments are new and only 4-5 years old. In fact, one of the ways we have ensured that we stay ahead of the curve is by segmenting our solutions in four different verticals. Clients can approach us as a complete solution provider or even opt for one of the services we offer. These are logistics and multi-modal solutions, material management, erection testing commissioning of power transformers, feasibility study and crane rental. We have 430 personnel across India to take care of these verticals and are well connected to take care of any assignments,” he concluded.
It is therefore not an understatement to say that complexity drives and defines the JH Parabia, which has left an indelible mark in the over-dimensional (ODC) cargo segment for close to five decades, becoming the master of its craft!