Moving Towards Revival

Balanced and healthy growth of construction industry with robust technology must be in place for the future, writer Prof. Sri Hari.

Covid-19 has brought in unpredicted and unexpected sufferings on the human race, with even heavy toll of death of people and disruptions in the economy.                

Obviously, the current crisis has a negative impact on the construction industry as till date the industry highly labour oriented. As the spread of the virus is very fast from human to human, thereby numbers infected is on increasing exponentially, the challenge becomes all the more Herculean in nature. In the absence of innovation, high degree of mechanization and automation, the entire construction industry is totally sealed down as the spreading could be very fast due to human and human contact is unlimited and very high.     State and central government on various notifications, barred construction labour oriented activities as most labourers are not drawn locally but have migrated from various parts of the country. Many times poverty has forced them to take up the job that do not require any expertise or skill.  Many builders invested crores of rupees for large scale building or construction projects including roads, railways, port and harbors, airports, etc.., this most unorganized labour oriented industry has suffered the most. 

Companies with huge investments under various financial schemes, loan etc, are not only facing labour shortage, due to close down of the activities but also resulted in huge economic loss, delays in execution, handing over to clients etc. Many middle and lower segment builders are totally down with the activities, not able to sustain the impact. It is very much certain, the impact will continue post Covid-19 and slow down the construction activity. Another 3-4 years the negative impact will be felt and takes almost equal time to recover.

Challenges

The various challenges that are encountered due to this pandemic Covid-19, includes labour problem who are scattered now, financial loss if the amount is drawn as loan from financial institutions, time loss, execution loss, team building up again, materials delay in supply due supply and demand chain broken, wastages of stacked materials, slowed down in economy and purchase value, price escalations and variations, re-orientation of labourers, change of public and people priorities and many more.

Sustainable Growth

With the able support and guidance of state and central government, a slew of measures are announced time to time. Nevertheless, the senior executives must plan and prepare the future course action, optimization of cost, materials and men, going for new proven materials to reduce longer time to construct, mechanization for quick deliverables in time etc.                

During this period, consolidation of resources, planning, designing, new cost effective methodologies, fast tracking construction schemes must be prepared for implementation. It is very essential and needs to be understood  that the construction industry must be sustained to full fill the objectives of housing issues for affordable as a part of smart city initiative. Balanced and healthy growth of construction industry with robust technology must be in place for the future. Automated equipments, newer materials, rapid construction technique methods must be in practice. Pre-cast walls, pre-cast/ moulded doors and windows, must be practiced under supervision. The industry must be sustainable to meet the basic needs of mankind including communication by roads, railways, air, and water.

Policies  &  Reforms

Today, it is essential to move forward without back tracking. The age old policies must be simplified for easier, quick and timely approvals from government agencies, sharing the latest technological innovations to all builders, companies (large, medium and small), financial assistance to roll down quick deliverables, insistence of fast track construction, liberalization of rules and regulations but upgrades of the codal provisions without sacrificing quality and strength. Encouraging the construction industry with many sops and concessions etc…. Easier clearances to procure internationally manufactured advanced equipments and other benefits must be expected from the government. Adaption of advanced and smart technologies, effecitive coordination of various building organizations, and working in tandem and knowledge sharing need to be encouraged. 

CSR and Labour Reforms.

Under CSR, an organization must be set up to care of labours their insurance, maintain their health and stay in the camps. Certain courses on skill must be conducted to develop the individual skills. CSR is most crucial towards society and to balance and meet the negative impact if any due to construction activity as well as maintaining the neighborhood and environment.

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