PEPSCON 2017 showcases new technologies and usage of pre-cast structures

PEPSCON 2017, a two day international conference and exhibition, with a theme- ' Housing for All by 2022', which began here today, witnessed participation from government implementing agencies, policy makers, consultants, engineers, architects, technology providers and others.

Organised by Pre-engineered Structures Society of India (PSI), the exhibition aims to disseminate the knowledge of using various emerging construction technologies such as pre-cast, composite construction, light gauge steel and insulated wall construction.

"Ambitious housing projects of the government including Prime Minister Awas Yojna(PMAY) can get big boost if the Centre and State governments provide tax relief to pre fabricated technologies. New construction technologies would bring in both quality and affordability," stressed P Surya Prakash, President, PSI.

"Pre-cast and pre-engineered structures would increase house building capacity of any implementing government agencies like DDA, NBCC, MES and private sector developers by five times. Presently 300 units are being built in the country per day and with the use of these construction technologies we can make 1500 units per day. This would enhance capacity and quality, subsequently reducing cost and saving time," added Prakash.

Prakash further claimed that the Goods and Services tax (GST) would give a boost to the sector as it would bring down current indirect taxes such VAT, Excise and service from 25 percent to 18 percent.

Earlier while inaugurating the Conference and Exhibition, Major General Sanjeev Jain, Director General, Directorate General of Married Accommodation Project (DGMAP), Military Engineering Service (MES) said that the Defence Ministry is going to push the usage of new construction technologies in a big way.

"The Ministry has allocated Rs. 24,000Crore for housing projects for three services personnel and other military infrastructures and 80 per cent of this would be spent in making houses with the use of new construction technologies such as pre-cast and pre-engineered structures," revealed

Major General Jain.

"Under married accommodation project (MAP), 80,000 units would be constructed at 150 military stations across the country and with economy of scale these technologies would be major cost saving exercise along with quality housing for Defence personnel," added Major General Jain.

Experts were in agreement that the new construction technologies would create new job opportunities for engineers and highly skilled workforce. They strongly recommended that the technology providers, builders and contractors need tax incentives to full utilise new construction technologies.