Builders asked to reduce construction cost without compromising on quality

It is time for the construction industry to take a leaf out of the automobile and telecom sectors that have witnessed significant cost reduction without compromising on quality so that the dreams of millions of people for affordable homes are met, according to Mr Avinash D. Shirode, National President, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India).

He also felt that consistent improvement in the quality of construction was the need of the hour.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the International construction and interior fair ‘BuildMat 2011', organised jointly by the Coimbatore centres of Builders Association of India, the Indian Institute of Architects and the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) in Coimbatore on Thursday, he said in the face of hike in raw material prices, the industry has to find a solution to keep the overall cost of construction under control without reducing quality.

Cost factor

The cement industry, which started with 33-grade cement, has now moved up to 63-grade. Similarly, there is great advancement in steel manufacture. The construction industry has to endeavour to bring down the cost of construction so that affordable homes are possible for millions.

Mr Shirode, drawing attention to the great strides made in the automobile and telecom industries that have witnessed great success in making available quality products at affordable prices, said the success of low priced Nano car and price reduction in telecom sectors should be replicated in the construction industry. This would be possible by new visionaries who can dream high and achieve.

Challenging period

Mr Raj Menda, Managing Director, RMZ Corp, Bangalore, in his inaugural address, felt that the current decade will be very eventful for the construction industry, which has to plan to meet competition and challenges.

He said builders have to construct buildings/projects very fast with quality and to meet the challenges, the full support of architects, engineers and supporting staff was required.

Mr K. Jaisim, Chief Architect, Jaisim – Fountainhead, Bangalore, stating that dynamic and young people were required in the construction sector to meet the challenges before it, had a word of caution: “Do not build for the sake of building, build with meaning.”

Mr Y. Praveen Chandra Prasad, Chairman, BuildMat 2011, said that the fair was one of the largest fairs held in south India, giving the buyers and sellers opportunity to meet in one platform. For the first time participants in different sections have been grouped based on their product profile.

Mr M. Bhuvanasundar, Director (Administration), BuildtMat 2011; Mr D.R. Sekar, Chairman, Builders' Association of India, Coimbatore Chapter; Mr. P. Arun Prasad, Chairman, the Indian Institute of Architects, Coimbatore Centre; Mr C.M. Dharmalingam, Chairman, Association of Consulting Civil Engineers(I), Coimbatore Centre; and Mr S. Balasubramanian, Director (Finance), BuildMat 2011 offered felicitations.

The fair will continue until February 6. There were about 400 stalls and nearly 250 companies both from India and abroad are participating.

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