In a notable departure from its time-honored manual processes, the global construction industry is today firmly relying on fully-digitalised processes and workflows. In India too, the trust in construction technology is growing, and a key driver for it lies in the government’s initiatives and policies aimed at fostering innovation and efficiency.
Policies such as “Digital India” and the “Smart Cities Mission” underscore a commitment to leverage technology to enhance the quality of construction projects and urban infrastructure. The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and other advanced construction technologies fully aligns with the Indian government’s vision to create sustainable, technologically-advanced urban spaces.
One of the recent examples we have seen is of the Dwarka Expressway in New Delhi, which involved extensive use of cutting technologies for land surveying and mapping. Geospatial technologies including Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) were additionally used for monitoring of the project site.
The construction of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Harbour Link or the Mumbai Trans-Harbor Link is another project where the government’s push for technology integration yielded desired results. In this state-of-the-art project, the use of BIM and other advanced technologies facilitated precise project planning, minimized delays, and ensured cost-effectiveness. This and several other projects are seen as benchmarks for the successful amalgamation of government policy and cutting-edge construction technology.
Putting technology to work
On their part, leading technology providers have also invested a lot of resources in nurturing the industry’s trust in tech. Tekla Structures, the industry’s leading BIM software from Trimble for example aligns seamlessly with the Indian government’s emphasis on interoperability. In addition to its collaborative modeling prowess, Tekla Structures’ compatibility with various third-party design and analysis tools ensures a smooth flow of information across different project phases, reducing data silos and optimizing overall project workflows.
The construction of Chenab Bridge in Kashmir, now hailed as the world’s highest railway bridge, was heavily reliant on Tekla software. The successful completion of this project can be attributed to the seamless integration of advanced engineering software, meticulous attention to design precision, the utilization of high-strength materials, and the application of corrosion-resistant coatings to enhance longevity.
Furthermore, the Chenab Bridge project utilized state-of-the-art monitoring technologies from Trimble to facilitate real-time surveillance of construction activities. This included the deployment of drones for aerial inspections, the implementation of sensors for monitoring structural health, and the utilization of various data-driven tools. Together, these technological innovations played a crucial role in ensuring that the construction process adhered to design specifications, thus significantly contributing to the overall outcome of the project.
With the inauguration of the Chenab Bridge, these advancements in engineering and construction technologies have proven their effectiveness in delivering landmark infrastructure projects.
A growing number of successful projects like these have no doubt strengthened the construction industry’s trust in digitalisation, but some challenges still persist. Issues such as resistance to change, inadequate skills, and the need for standardized processes tend to pose hurdles to full digitalisation. Thankfully, the Indian government has recognized these challenges and continued to roll out initiatives aimed at skill development and capacity building in the construction sector.
Tekla Structures, with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive training programs, also contributes to addressing these challenges. The software’s intuitive design empowers construction professionals to adapt quickly to digital workflows. By aligning with government efforts in skill development, Tekla Structures has positioned itself as a key player in navigating the industry through these transformative times.
Despite being perceived as a high-end option, Tekla’s extensive range of features, precision, and efficiency plays an important role in driving cost efficiencies through error reduction, improved project schedules, and enhanced collaborative capabilities. To further enhance affordability and accessibility of its software, Trimble provides flexible licensing options, including subscription-based models. This allows users to adopt Tekla without the need for a substantial upfront investment, making it more accessible to a broader user base, including smaller firms and projects with limited budgets.
Moreover, the scalability of Tekla licensing options allows users to tailor their investment based on project requirements. This adaptability ensures that users can choose the functionalities and features that align with their specific needs, optimizing the cost-benefit ratio.
The future is digital
Digitalisation, automation, and use of sustainable materials and construction techniques are in fact three important imperatives for the Indian construction industry as it seeks to play a key role in the nation’s continuing economic progress. This emphasis on innovation aligns with the
overall goal of enhancing the country’s infrastructure and accommodates the needs of a rapidly growing urban population.
Under the PMAY scheme, there is an emphasis on promoting the utilization of cutting-edge construction technologies with the aim of enhancing the affordability and effectiveness of housing. One notable example is the increasing adoption of prefabricated and precast construction techniques. These approaches involve the production of building components off-site, resulting in reduced construction duration and expenses.
Finally, construction technology also contributes significantly to improving safety standards on construction sites. Innovations such as wearable devices, safety equipment equipped with smart sensors, and real-time monitoring systems enhance worker safety by providing timely alerts and facilitating proactive measures to mitigate potential risks.
This growing focus on worksite safety and sustainability, along with ongoing efforts to boost efficiencies are today cited as a major reason for digitalisation by progressive construction companies in India. This digitalisation is not only reshaping how we conceptualize, construct, and maintain our built environment, but also leading to a swift and transformative evolution of the industry as a whole.
