TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON REPAIR

OF THE WATER TANK TRUCK

FOR

ECONOMICAL RECOVERY OF WATER SUPPLY TO THE OPERATOR

TRAINING COLLEGE

W. N. E. CROOS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATOR TRAINING)
CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING COLLEGE
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
17.08.2021
CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE NO.

1.0 Background 02

2.0 Observations 02

3.0 Options for the Recovery of Damage 03

4.0 Evaluation 04

5.0 Recommendation 05

Annexure 01 - Chassis Frame Measurements Taken Without Disassembling Parts

Annexure 02 - Cabin Structural Measurements Taken without Disassembling Parts

W. N. E. Croos, Assistant Director (Operator Training) Page 1 of 5

1.0 Background

The water supply to the Operator Training College(OTC) was done by transporting water from
NWS&DB using a water bowser. There is no NWS&DB water connection at Galkulama with the
required capacity to feed OTC. The efforts are taken to obtain ground water but the underground
water contains high calcium hardness. Softener plant also failed treating the ground water.

The water was transported by LM 7500 water tank truck which is having 8000 ltrs capacity. This
bowser was met with an accident on 30th March 2021 inside the OTC premises and it is handed over
to the local agent “Senok Commercial Vehicles (Pvt.) Ltd.” For repairs. A preliminary investigation
report of the accident is forwarded to the Acting Director General, Construction Industry
Development Authority on 21.04.2021.

The agent has provided the estimate for the repair but the insurance provider “Sri Lanka Insurance
Corporation” is approved only 60% of the estimated value. As per the Insurance approval, only Rs.
960,178.75 is recovering by them from the total estimated value of Rs. 1,583,790.00.

A technical report forwarded to the Director General on 11.08.2021 recommending the most
economical option to recover the water supply to OTC, with the technical observations. However the
Director General has instructed to include the technical details of the damage on 12.08.2021, and to
forward a report.

This report is forwarding as requested by the Acting Director General, Construction Industry
Development Authority, on 12th August 2021 by email. The water supply is handled by hiring of
water bowsers from NWS&DB, at present.

2.0 Observations :

Vehicle Reg. No : LM 7500

Make & Model : Eicher Pro 11.12 XP
Present Condition of the Vehicle:
Vehicle chassis frame was observed no visible deformation and some measurements are recorded
without disassembling the mounted parts. The measurements with the tolerances are symmetric,
and no evidence found for chassis frame deformation. It can be verified after disassembling the tank
and the cabin. The measurement details are mentioned in Annex 01.

Driver Cabin is severely damaged. Windscreen, front panel, doors, side mirrors and glasses are
damaged. Driver cabin structure is deformed. Some measurements of the cabin structure are
recorded and it is mentioned in Annex 02.

Water tank is also having minor damage with a hole at mid level. Two inside deformations observed
in left side as 45mm & 70mm at front left and rear left respectively. No evidence for tank frame
deformation.

Engine and transmission system are in working condition.

W. N. E. Croos, Assistant Director (Operator Training) Page 2 of 5

3.0 Options for Recovery of Damage

Option 01

Replacement of the damaged cabin with a new cabin. Repairing the water tank and re-painting the
vehicle.

Option 02

Disposing the entire vehicle by condemning and procurement of new water tank truck.

Option 03

Repairing the cabin structure and sheet metal. Repairing doors, dashboard, and other accessories.
Installing new windscreen, other broken glasses, and damaged spares. Repairing the water tank and
re-painting the vehicle.

W. N. E. Croos, Assistant Director (Operator Training) Page 3 of 5

4.0 Evaluation

Summary of analysis are tabulated below in Table 01. Positive and negative impacts of each option
are described and tabulated.

Table 01 : Summery of analysis on salient parameters

Topic Option 01 Option 02 Option 03

Expected Finishing Brand new condition Brand new condition of High quality of the
Level of the cabin. High the entire vehicle cabin. High quality of
quality of tank and the tank and
accessories accessories.
Acceptable quality of
re-conditioned parts.
Risk of side effects No side effects of the No risk of side effects Risk of side effects
cabin and its structure. exists
Tank will be in patched
condition
Reliability & Durability High reliability of the High reliability of Moderate reliability of
cabin and acceptable entire vehicle the cabin and
reliability of the tank acceptable reliability of
and accessories the tank
Time period to repair Un-predictable time Estimated time of Estimated time of
due to import procurement is 5 repair is 2 months
limitations and months. Un-
pandemic situation of predictable time due
India. Expected to import limitations
minimum 3 months and pandemic
situation of India.
Cost of Repair High cost. More than Very high cost. Lower cost. Estimated
2/3 of the total value Expected 20% price 1/3 of the total value
of vehicle increase compared to of the vehicle
the purchased price in
2017.
Insurance coverage to Maximum 2/3 of the Estimated 80% of the Estimated 90% cost
cost of repair present value will be recovery from the recovery from the
recovered by the Insurance. However Insurance
Insurance CIDA has to bear more
cost than option 01
Estimated cost of hired Estimated Rs. 1.6 Estimated Rs. 2.7 Estimated Rs. 1.1
water transport until millions millions millions
repair completion

W. N. E. Croos, Assistant Director (Operator Training) Page 4 of 5

6.0 Recommendation

Table 02 : Tabulation of approximate expenditure for each recovery options and comments

Parameter Option 01 Option 02 Option 03

Repair/Recovery Time Minimum 03 Months Around 5 months Estimated 2 months
Est. Repair/recovery Approx. Rs. 1.0 million Around Rs. 1.1 millions Estimated Rs. 0.16
Cost for CIDA millions
(Excluding Insurance
Coverage)
Est. Cost of Hired Approx. Rs. 1.6 millions Estimated Rs. 2.7 Estimated Rs. 1.1
Water Transport millions millions
Overall Cost Approx. Rs. 2.6 Around Rs. 3.8 millions Estimated Rs. 1.26
millions millions
Comments Insurance provider not The cost of recovery is Economically better
recommends since the high due to higher than other options.
repair cost is more time duration to This needs speedy
than 2/3 of the present procurement. recovery for the water
vehicle value Additional approvals transport of SAYANI
required for the batch 02.
balance expenditure to
be borne by CIDA.

It is recommended the most economical and speedy recovery solution considering the water
transport which is an essential service to OTC operations. The importance of water supply on time is
higher than the other minor negative impacts of Option 03. Therefore it is recommended to Repair
the driver cabin, water tank, replace the damaged spares and re-painting the vehicle.

..........................................
W. N. E. Croos
Assistant Director (O. T.)
Construction Equipment Operator Training College
Construction Industry Development Authority

W. N. E. Croos, Assistant Director (Operator Training) Page 5 of 5