Revolutionising construction methods in India

In rapidly evolving landscape of the Indian real estate industry, one cannot ignore the role of technology in reshaping the construction industry. It’s not only changing the way we build things, but also revolutionising the method, productivity, and safety.

Table of Contents

History of construction and lack of advancements

If one looks at the history of construction, and manual labour-intensive exercise, use of basic tools was the prevalent practise. Things took time to build, and projects required more time to complete. Productivity, therefore, remained stagnant for years in the construction industry due to lack of technological advancements. Companies are now focusing on adapting technology to boost productivity and efficiency.

Since the first mechanical rock crusher was patented in 1858, we have moved exponentially in the technological expertise of the construction industry. Traditional methods of breaking materials manually with primitive tools have now been replaced by advanced crushers that can break large rocks and ores with precision. Another advancement that has revolutionised the construction industry is ready-mix concrete, or RMC. Earlier, one could see construction workers mix concrete on-site using concrete mixers. This process encompassed binding aggregates like sand and gravel with cement, adding water for activation at construction sites. With the advent of RMC, the industry has witnessed customisable and quality products made in a controlled environment, fast construction, zero waste, reduced dust pollution, and reduced costs and turn-around times. Moreover, the inclusion of pre-designed aluminium formworks, concrete has replaced bricks, as well as boom pumps for concrete transport and high-speed elevators in buildings have transformed the construction industry.

Digital revolution and automation

Digital interventions and automation have added to the boom. According to a recent report, more than 65% of construction companies are now focusing on digital revolution. Almost one-fifth of India’s construction companies cited completing projects on time and budget as a top industry concern, followed by workforce safety, and effectively managing risk.

Technology like Building Information Modelling helps in better communication and collaboration across team members, and data collection through surveying for improved outcome. The construction industry has swiftly taken over 3D printing to create small building models to help reducing waste and save time. Another significant innovation are precast homes that are constructed using precast concrete panels or modules manufactured off-site, then transported to the construction site for assembly. Also, high-efficiency glass building enclosures, which help in improving energy efficiency and sunlight penetration, are applied to fasten the construction work as they offer a better and cost-effective option over the traditional building materials.

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality

The adoption of technology has increased the safety for workers on site. Safety is a major concern for construction workers. Hence, to enhance safety and reduce fatalities, technologies like smart sensors, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and drones are being used. Construction sites that pose danger are mapped using drones, while AR and VR functions to help in threat predictions, as well as training the personnel. These emerging technologies irreversibly carry the inherent capacity of transforming the construction sector.

Technological advancements need to be sustainable

When discussing the construction industry and technology, it is important to note the impact of technology on sustainability within the construction industry. Construction activities are one of the major contributors of pollution in India. Construction dust gets trapped in air, contributing to air pollution, moreover, construction work has been found to make significant amount of noise pollution and soil contamination in the nearby areas. Sustainable construction technologies and sustainable building materials can help in reducing the environmental impact caused by construction. Companies are now focusing on green building materials that are environment-friendly and can lower the harmful effect of construction. The use of technology in the construction industry can help make them more environment-friendly and reduce waste.

Use of blockchain to reform the construction industry

Moreover, many companies are including the use of blockchain to reform and modernise the construction field to ensure quality control and transparency. Blockchain technology is a decentralised system that allows the creation of a tamper-proof and transparent record of all transactions in the supply chain. Today, risk management has become a core focus of businesses that actively identify and respond to risks beforehand including factors like supply chain disruptions, cyber security vulnerabilities, or natural disaster threats. Technological enablers can prevent frauds because they instil a record of transactions that cannot be tampered, better partner linkage, and quality control.

Technology is more than a tool

It serves as a driving force for transformation and improvement. It empowers the construction sector to fulfil client needs, increase productivity, ensure safety, and guarantee a sustainable future. In construction industry, innovations such as IoT can be taken further to transform it by interconnecting devices, enhancing resources allocation, and ensuring workers safety. Moreover, new technologies allow companies to simplify construction project management processes and eliminate wastes. With the advent of technological advancements to enhance processes, companies should also be willing to adopt new and innovative technologies that can change how the construction industry is operated.

(The author is director (technical) at Aparna Enterprises Limited.)

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]

Was this article useful?

😃 (0)
😐 (0)
😔 (0)

T Chandra Sekhar

T Chandra Sekhar is the Director-Technical at Aparna Enterprises Limited – one of India’s fastest growing building materials manufacturer. He is a highly accomplished industry veteran with a career spanning over 40 years, during which he has made significant contributions to the steel, ceramic, and construction industries. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Osmania University, Hyderabad.