Indian construction industry
|
| East West underground railway connection between Calcutta (Kolkata) and Howrah. |
Construction is the second largest industry in India after agriculture. It is expected to become the largest employer in India by 2022 and the third largest construction industry in the world by 2025, behind only China and America.
Its sectors are categorised as:
The construction industry in India is highly fragmented, with a small number of large companies working across all sectors, a larger number of medium-sized specialist companies, and a large number of and small and medium sized subcontractors. Just 10% of the workforce are categorised as skilled, whilst 90% are unskilled or semi-skilled.
During the middle of the 20th century, the government was main developer, with construction work carried out by state-owned enterprises. Since then there has been significant commercialisation of the sector, and recently, there has been a focus on public-private partnerships to accelerate the development needed to support the urbanisation of the population. In addition, rules on foreign direct investment have been relaxed to help deliver the significant levels of housing and infrastructure required.
However, the growth of the sector has been accompanied by a number of problems.
- Cutting corners to reduce costs and programmes.
- Corruption and regional monopolies.
- Poor health and safety and labour conditions.
- Inadequate project management and controls.
- 20 to 25% time and cost overruns.
- Skills shortages, particularly for new market areas.
- Unregistered contractors.
A number of government policies have been introduced to facilitate the development needed and to encourage the adoption of innovation, modern methods of construction, and digital infrastructure:
- 100 Smart Cities programme.
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).
- The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme
- The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act.
- National Skill Development Mission
- Housing for All 2022.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- APAC construction equipment market.
- Bungalow.
- Crushing equipment in the Asia Pacific region.
- East West Metro Tunnel, Calcutta.
- Fish Building, India.
- From Calcutta to Kolkata - legacy and modernisation.
- Golden Temple, Amritsar.
- Gopura.
- India Infrastructure Market Projected to Cross USD 2,552.4 Billion by 2021
- India looks at using plastic instead of sand.
- India needs to build more infrastructure fast. Here's how
- Indian Infrastructure.
- Indian intelligent building management systems
- Introducing architectural technology to India
- Lotus Temple.
- Mahabat Maqbara, India
- Major Henry De Bude.
- Megacities.
- Metro cities - the future of urbanisation.
- SOGANI - The first Indian brand to showcase at Lights + Building 2018
- Taj Mahal.
- The Indian construction chemical market.
- Vastu Shastra.
- Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir.
[edit] External references
- https://www.macegroup.com/perspectives/180910-is-the-indian-construction-sector-prepared-for-growth
- www.indianconstructionindustry.com
- http://www.makeinindia.com/sector/construction
- https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Indian infrastructure
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180410006134/en/Indian-738.5-Billion-Construction-Market-Report-2018-2022
- https://www.maiervidorno.com/construction-industry-india-growth-innovative-technologies/
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.


























