By Mohan Ramanathan, Founder & Chairman - IDA (Indian Demolition Association)
The Indian demolition industry has become highly professional with new techniques and methods being implemented over the last decade. Having started in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, etc., the industry is now making its expertise felt across the country with over 200 demolition companies, employing around 4,000 employees, and over 1,000 medium and small contractors.
When I first entered this industry in 1997, it was quite a challenge being a demolition contractor. No one would believe that concrete could be drilled and sawn. But today, with access to professional equipment for sawing and drilling, Indian demolition contractors are executing challenging jobs, on par with the western world. Recycling of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste has become mandatory in India. Remediation of polluted sites is another area that will be discussed by experts. New legislations in India on safety, the working environment, and passing of the legislation for handling of C&D waste in 2016, have all brought greater professionalism to the demolition industry.
The high pace of construction of apartments, offices, airports and metros, and the general expansion and improvement of the infrastructure, have increased demand for more advanced methods and techniques. Also, many of the old and very large power plants are being scrapped, all of which requires expertise in large-scale safe demolition. I have finally realised my dream of forming the first Indian Demolition Association – the IDA, along with my colleagues and associates in this niche business. Many large demolition contractors have joined me to form the framework of IDA and draw up the guidelines for the future growth.
IDA, which will be officially inaugurated during DEMTECH at a grand ceremony on the evening of November 13. The much awaited Demtech conference is expected to be attended by about 300 professionals from the construction industry. During the event, several politicians and industry experts from across India and abroad will hold lectures, and along with our sponsors and exhibitors, take the Indian demolition industry to next level. Both Indian and International demolition companies will present case studies of projects, and information on the advanced equipment, This will be followed by a panel discussion.
Our main sponsor is Volvo CE. Associate sponsors include Epiroc, Sennebogen, Brokk and Hilti; affiliate sponsors are Husqvarna, Edifice (an Indian demolition contractor) Pentruder, Shearcore, Kemroc, Kobelco and Tyrolit, and many more are likely to join. IDA has also organized 10 Table-Top exhibition booths for companies to share information on their products. We appreciate the support extended by trade magazines PDi & NBM&CW for spreading information about IDA and the upcoming Demtech conference. International associations EDA and IACDS are also supporting the event. We plan to organize Demtech every alternate year and hope to make it a bigger in the future.
Pls visit www.demtech.in for information on Demtech 2019 agenda
