India’s construction industry contributes over 9% to the country’s GDP and is the second-largest employer after agriculture. However, Delays, budget overruns, and safety hazards have been accepted as part and parcel of major infrastructure projects. According to a 2023 survey, 38.1% of infrastructure projects experienced setbacks between 25 and 60 months, and 46.6% of them experienced delays within a year. On the other hand, the need for innovation has become more urgent as India pushes forward with ambitious plans like Smart Cities, housing for all, and expanded transport networks.
From firefighting problems to predicting them
According to a recent study from the Primus Partners, nearly 40% of infrastructure projects in India face time overruns. One of the biggest reasons is that planning often doesn’t reflect real-time conditions on site. Schedules that just don’t work in the field, missed deadlines, and inefficient resource allocation are the results of this disconnect.
With AI-powered construction management solutions like Trimble Connect, which combine 3D models, real-time site conditions, and planning data into a single integrated environment, Trimble is helping in addressing this gap. These systems use predictive analytics to identify risks early, such as scheduling conflicts, resource shortages, or weather disruptions, and suggest prompt interventions before issues worsen by comparing what was planned with what is actually occurring on the site.
Performance Contractors, Inc., working on a petrochemical refinery expansion along the Gulf Coast, utilized Trimble’s suite of technologies, including Trimble Connect and the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2, to enhance their operations. This integration led to a tenfold decrease in labor for the layout process and significantly reduced change orders and rework on 300,000 feet of installed piping.
Smarter workflows, better efficiency
For any project manager, paperwork and coordination take up a significant portion of their time. This is being addressed by AI, which automates routine but necessary tasks like syncing data between teams, tracking material movement, updating reports, and flagging changes.
Across projects in India, Trimble’s automated progress tracking tools which integrate site footage, drone data, and BIM models are helping reduce the time spent on daily reporting. By examining automated insights, site engineers can focus more on solving real problems rather than manually updating spreadsheets.
An example of this in action is the use of Trimble’s Tekla solutions by Coteccons in Vietnam during the construction of Landmark 81, the tallest structure in Southeast Asia. In comparison to several foreign companies, Coteccons was the first local contractor to be awarded a project of that size, making it a historic project. Remarkably, the concrete framework was finished 45 days earlier than expected. Their early adoption of Trimble’s technologies and switch to BIM was crucial to their ability to manage complexity and gain confidence on important projects like this particular one.
Cutting rework, boosting quality
Globally, rework accounts for up to 10% of total project costs in construction. AI can significantly reduce design inconsistencies, structural mistakes, and component misalignments by identifying them early in the process – often before construction begins.
Construction teams can compare “as-designed” models with “as-built” conditions on-site by using Trimble’s digital twin and reality capture solutions. AI detects deviations instantly, allowing them to be corrected before they become expensive issues.
This is especially helpful for intricate projects where accuracy is critical, like data centers and rail infrastructure. For example, DPR Construction used Trimble’s Tekla Structures and Trimble Connect to create incredibly detailed, fabrication-ready models for the Waterline project in Austin, Texas. This method decreased risk, reduced rework, and improved predictability, all of which helped the 74-story mixed-use tower be completed successfully.
Rebuilding Right with AI
AI is also enabling the use of robotics and semi-autonomous machinery, which is particularly valuable in hazardous environments or remote areas where labor shortages are common. Algorithms can now analyze terrain data, environmental factors, and historical construction records to generate optimized architectural designs. In India, where climatic and geographic diversity plays a major role in infrastructure planning, this level of precision can lead to smarter, more sustainable building strategies.
Despite the clear benefits, AI adoption in Indian construction faces several challenges. The fragmented nature of the industry, lack of digital literacy among workers, and high upfront costs of AI integration remain significant hurdles. Moreover, small and mid-sized contractors, who make up the bulk of the market, often lack access to the capital and training needed for such transformation.
However, the tide is turning. Government initiatives like the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) and Gati Shakti are increasingly incorporating digital technology mandates in public infrastructure development. In parallel, startups and tech companies are partnering with construction firms to provide scalable, localized AI solutions tailored for the Indian context.
Artificial intelligence is not here to replace the Indian construction workforce; it is here to empower it. By automating mundane tasks, reducing risks, and enhancing decision-making, AI allows human expertise to be channeled where it matters most. As India embarks on an infrastructure revolution, the integration of AI will be pivotal—not just in building better roads, bridges, and homes—but in laying the foundation for a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future.
