Larsen & Toubro Wins LIGO India Observatory Contract

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant contract, valued between ₹1,000 crore and ₹2,500 crore, from the India===Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, for the establishment of the LIGO India Observatory. This project, located at Aundha in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, is a flagship 'Mega Science' initiative aimed at detecting gravitational waves. L&T's Heavy Civil Infrastructure and Heavy Engineering verticals will jointly undertake the engineering, procurement, and construction of vibration-sensitive, high-precision civil infrastructure, including the manufacture and installation of an ultra-high vacuum compatible 8-kilometre beam tube. The project also involves the integration of various mechanical, electrical, HVAC, fire protection, and vacuum control systems, with a completion timeline of 48 months. The LIGO India project is a collaborative effort involving premier Indian research institutions like the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT) and the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), as well as international partners such as the LIGO Laboratory in the United States, with support from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This initiative will strengthen the global network of gravitational wave detectors and enhance India's capabilities in cutting-edge scientific research.