BUILD TO LAST

Safeguarding homes for decades can be achieved if the builder and owners are prudent to use the right applications during construction

- MOLLY R

Globally, the construction sector is valued for leveraging economies, promoting industry, and generating employment. Construction sector accounted for 11% of India’s GDP and 1/6th share (35 million) of the total employment generated in the country. India ranked fourth globally in construction, after China, United States, and Japan, with total output placed at $333 billion. In India, the construction sector accounted for around 40% of the development investment during the past 50 years and created assets worth over Rs 200 billion.

Despite the distinct advantages, the construction sector is known to be a large consumer of energy, resources, promoter of global warming, and responsible for creating large carbon footprints. Considering the ever-increasing volume of buildings being constructed or under construction, it becomes critical that the construction sector is made more efficient, productive, and sustainable. Accordingly, appropriate construction technologies, integrated with proper repair, maintenance and retrofitting measures need to be inculcated to make India a global leader in sustainable construction practices.

When hit with disasters, majority of the existing structures face extensive damage and remain vulnerable to further destruction. This is due to improper design, poor quality of construction, lack of proper care and maintenance. This necessitates construction of new buildings to compensate for buildings that are damaged or destroyed. In addition, a number of existing buildings are also being demolished and replaced by new structures.