Throwback Thursday: Construction Of The GAIL Headquarters

From time to time, it is an interesting exercise to go back in the past and look at how the present grew from a single idea. Throwback Thursday, a global hashtag is an exercise on the same line. People and brands revisit the past every Thursday, sharing vintage pictures and anecdotes.

As the youngest Maharatna, our history takes place in the 80’s as India was stepping in the computer age. Those early years are documented by our internal publication – GAIL news.

The initial issues of GAIL news offer great insights into the organisation and the early steps that led us to where we are today in this brief span of time.

One such insight is an interesting article on the construction of our headquarters at Bhikhaji Cama Place in New Delhi (next to Hotel Hyatt Regency).  The building is on a plot measuring 1377.18 sq. meters, which was purchased from DDA.

This impressive structure has 2 basements plus eight floors including lower and upper ground floors with a total plinth area of 12,069 sq. meters (1.30 lakh sq. ft.).

In 1989, the work for our corporate building was fast progressing, with approvals of the ministry of Urban Development in place. The pre-construction activities in terms of purchase of a plot of land at suitable location, appointment of architectural consultants and preparation of building plans including approval of the plans from the concerned authorities, invitation of tenders for the construction of the building and award of work, etc. were completed in a record time of about five months.

The possession of the plot was handed over by DDA to GAIL on December 12, 1988 and the foundation stone of the new Corporate Office building was laid by the then chairman Shri. Vineet Nayyar on January 9, 1989.

Exhibiting a vision for the future workplace the new building was built to include central Air-conditioning and ventilation system; The construction followed a tight completion schedule of eighteen months.

Further, employees Were invited to visit the sight and offer suggestions towards a model office building.

some pictures during the construction :

It surely is something to revisit the past. Stay tuned for more #ThrowbackThursday posts.