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The construction industry, which serves as the backbone of India’s economy, has seen tremendous advancement in the past several years. Modern machinery, materials and technology are now being employed in construction projects. The industry today ranks third globally. At a recent Indian Infrastructure conference, Sudhir Hoshing, chief executive officer, Execution, IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited, talked about the construction scenario, the increasing role of private players, and the growing use of alternative and sustainable materials. Excerpts…
Construction scenario
Over the years, the pace of construction has accelerated significantly. Furthermore, the construction of roads is now being completed at a faster pace. For instance, about 100 km of roads are now constructed within a span of two years.
Moreover, technology plays an important role in construction projects. It results in cost and time savings. Within construction, robotic solutions are increasingly being used. This helps in automating heavy equipment and fleets for excavation, transportation, load lifting, concrete work and demolition. The use of biofuels is also gaining traction.
Moreover, the latest methods are being adopted for the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs). For instance, the network survey vehicle (NSV) helps in preparing a better DPR. NSV is used for the automatic collection of road inventory and pavement condition-related data, which is required for road asset management, pavement maintenance management and road safety audit-related studies.
Some of the key issues and challenges faced during the execution of construction works relate to utility shifting, land acquisition, and timely clearances and approvals. For instance, if a state administration refuses to do mining for aggregates, one needs to get it from a distant place, which would add to the transportation cost. Besides, some states do not have any system of royalty. Thus, one cannot buy material or do mining officially in that state.
Involvement of private players
A number of construction projects are being undertaken by private sector players. Currently, the hybrid annuity model is the most prevalent. At present, about 80 percent of the projects are being undertaken by private players, while about 20 percent are being taken up in engineering, procurement and construction modes.
“Technology, new and innovative methods, and alternative and sustainable materials will transform the construction sector.”
Steps towards sustainability
Alternative and sustainable materials play a vital role in reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. For example, IRB Infrastructure utilised steel slag while working on a construction project in West Bengal. Steel slag is more economically viable as compared to aggregates and is easily available in Durgapur, West Bengal. Besides, the company is using fly ash for filling and slag as an alternative to stone.
Over the past two to three years, IRB Infrastructure has been working towards sustainability in road construction. Along with its international partner, the company has been working on improving its global S&P rating. Now the company’s S&P Global ESG Score has reached 40. The company has also started an old toll plaza lighting solar system. Besides, the company has collaborated with the National Highways Authority of India for an expressway project to use solar as an alternative power resource.
Water conservation and reductions in emissions are also crucial. A construction plant is designed in such a way that there is space to collect water. Later on, that water can be reused for different purposes, such as gardening.
The way ahead
Going forward, technology, new and innovative methods, and alternative and sustainable materials will transform the construction sector. Further, the adoption of recycled materials and renewable energy sources should be encouraged. To effectively reduce the nation’s carbon footprint, it is necessary to strike a balance between environmental preservation and construction operations.
