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
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.