CPWD gives up old construction methods; shifts to efficient, green construction technology

Adopts Monolithic system for quick, quality, dust free construction for large projects

Government's construction major, the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will henceforth, adopt modern Monolithic construction technology for all major projects of Rs.100 cr and above each, abandoning traditional methods of construction which are marked by several disadvantages.

Monolithic construction, being followed in countries like the US, UK, Russia, Germany and some other European countries, China, Singapore and Malaysia enables column free and integrated timber and brick free construction of walls and roofs. This reduces the construction completion cycle from 3 weeks per floor under traditional load bearing and Reinforced Cement Concrete methods to less than a week.

Minister of Urban Development Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu approved the technology shift by CPWD in the context of rising concerns over dust pollution, recommendation of the Standing Committee on Urban Development and observations of National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court over the alarming levels of Air and Noise Pollution in Delhi and other major cities of the country. This comes as a part of the Reform Agenda for CPWD set by the Ministry.

Benefits of Monolithic construction technology which is suited for large housing projects and office complexes include; cost saving due to reduced construction time, much lesser air and noise pollution and construction waste, no use of timber, optimum use of water, better finish, durable construction, all weather construction, increased labour productivity etc. Only Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) will be used doing away with the need of moving sand, cement, aggregates, bricks and steel shuttering materials to the construction site.

This technology also furthers the cause of Swachh Bharat Mission by ensuring neat and tidy workplace with minimal environmental pollution and of Skill India Mission with industry taking up skill upgradation activities while enabling Skill, Scale and Speed in large construction works. Monolithic technology is validated by the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation.

Disadvantages of traditional constructions methods include ; air, water and noise pollution, hazardous working conditions at site, inadequate control over quality of construction, work progress subject to weather conditions, longer construction time etc.

Out of the total works executed by CPWD during 2015-16 at a total cost of Rs.4,988 cr, large scale construction projects amounted to a total cost of Rs.2,301 cr.

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