NBM&CW Celebrates 30 Years of Progress in the Construction Industry
When this publication first came out, the Indian construction industry was characterized by labor intensive and rudimentary techniques. However, the gradual but steady mechanization of the sector has brought about significant changes. Today, many Indian construction companies are deploying the latest technologies and machinery which rival those used in developing countries such as China, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey etc. Nevertheless, as journalists, it is our duty to critically examine these developments and point out what we have achieved and what we could have achieved.
No doubt, in the past 30 years, we have built numerous projects that we can boast about and have brought major changes to the lives of citizens. It is unfortunate that despite the advancements, India’s construction industry still faces serious challenges. The most alarming is the frequency of accidents in recent years; we are seeing bridges and tunnels collapsing, road cave-ins, poor execution in metro-rail projects, water seepages in newly built tunnels, and so on. These incidents have raised serious questions on the integrity and durability of our infrastructure projects.
Despite such mega projects involving experienced civil engineers, advanced technology, world-class equipment, and high-quality building materials, why do some fail to perform? This all-important question calls for a thorough investigation to identify the underlying problems. The government must take a proactive role in the investigation, seek expert opinions from industry experts, and find concrete solutions. Even a single failure in a project of national significance should be a cause for concern and prompt action.
Historically, the response to such incidents has been the formation of committees, which often take years to produce reports and have a minimal impact on future projects. This approach needs to change. Effective and timely measures, including heavy penalties on the defaulters, are crucial to ensure that we build infrastructure that is resilient and stands the test of time.
With the government incentivising timely delivery of projects, the focus seems to have shifted to speed of construction. However, the focus should be equally on building sustainable infrastructure, especially given our limited funding options as a developing country. Several infra developments in India during the last 30 years have brought international recognition; our roads and expressways have set world records and are often cited in international forums. So, it is disheartening to see roads constructed only a few months ago developing potholes, or bridges and tunnels collapsing or requiring major repairs soon after their completion. Is speed of construction responsible for this, or is it improper project design, poor quality of materials being used, or lack of detailed audits and monitoring, a combination of all these factors, or any other important oversight?
On the one hand we are setting world records in speedy construction, but on other, over 450 projects, each valued at a minimum of 150 crores and above, are running behind schedule with an average delay of 35 months, resulting in a cost overrun of more than five lakh crores. Many of the issues causing these delays could have been resolved through a proactive, collaborative approach among stakeholders, but the lack of coordination is clearly visible.
While we are already witnessing significant monetary losses during the construction phase, another major concern that is not being discussed, despite its gravity, is the consequential demand for more Repairs & Rehabilitation of infra projects which are being built in greater numbers and speed. Their maintenance on a regular basis would therefore need to be well-funded or a significant budget allocated. We also need to start planning well ahead before the structures develop serious issues and fail to serve their purpose. But are we prepared for this?
From my extensive experience in reporting on the construction sector and engaging with builders, developers, contractors, project owners, and senior government officials, it is evident that we have the policies in place, the right intent, advanced technologies and equipment, and the expertise to succeed. What is missing is coordination, ownership, and accountability amongst the stakeholders.
The government must recognize that business houses are here to make a profit. They are looking to be awarded projects that allow them to create good quality structures along with sustainable profit. But the current practice of awarding projects based on the lowest bid (L1) often compromises quality. A revised approach to project design, procurement, and award processes is essential for achieving better outcomes.
Another pressing issue is the Skill Gap. Despite having access to advanced technologies and equipment, their utilization remains inadequate largely due to the lack of experienced project managers and workers not skilled enough to use them – leading to inefficiencies and mismanagement at project sites.
I recently participated in a panel discussion on utilization of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste. It was organized by CSIR and was attended by representatives from BMTPC, BIS, CBRI-CSIR, MCD, and many industry leaders. The discussion highlighted a critical issue: despite having policies, government intent, technologies, and business houses' willingness to invest, we are recycling less than 1% of C&D waste. The core problem lies in the lack of cooperation and understanding among stakeholders. High-level support and guidelines are not effectively translated to ground-level execution due to a pervasive ‘chalta hai’ attitude.
We have come a long way, but much is still to be done. By fostering better coordination, ensuring accountability, and enhancing skill development, we can overcome the current challenges and continue to build a robust and sustainable infrastructure. Let us pledge to work together, leverage our strengths and address our weaknesses to create a construction industry that not only meets but exceeds global standards.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of NBM&CW, it is a moment of pride and an opportunity for reflection. We, at NBM Media, would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our authors, subscribers, and advertisers, whose continued support has been instrumental in achieving this milestone.
NBM&CW’s print and digital editions are reaching readers across India, Asia, and around the world. All our social media platforms are ensuring the widest possible circulation for the advancement of the construction industry. With our collective efforts, I am confident that the construction industry can play a major role in achieving the ambitious goal set by our Prime Minister to become a developed country by 2047.
S.A.Faridi
Managing Editor
NBM&CW - July 2024
Your commitment to excellence has not only kept professionals informed but also fostered a community of knowledge sharing and innovation. It’s inspiring to see how your magazine has grown alongside the industry and continuously adapted to meet the needs of your readers.
Here's to many more years of success, impactful reporting, and contributions to the construction world!