Relevance of Automation in the Construction industry
The Construction sector being a vital cog in the wheel that drives the infrastructure development of our country has an important role to play in the growth of our country’s economy. However, since the construction sector is labour intensive and due to the scarcity of skilled labour force, it has to grapple with finding alternate methods by which infrastructure development is not compromised. It is in this context that the relevance of automation in the construction sector has gained prominence in recent years.
Considering that India is a rapidly growing economy, the scope of growth in the infrastructure industry is tremendous. This is particularly witnessed in large cities and their suburbs where there are various industries clustered together and demanding the government’s attention in providing the requisite facilities needed for smooth progress of various infrastructure projects. There are various industries that requires considerable labour force requirement in construction. They include industries like Housing, Highways and Roads, IT, Power, Communication, Water Supply, among others.
Reasons for shortage of labour force
The construction sector is labour intensive and requires sufficient labour force on a prolonged basis, covering the entire duration of the project. Hence, it is imperative that the contractor of the project makes available the necessary work force well in advance so that the progress of the work is not hampered. Most high-cost infrastructure projects require a large number of manual construction labourers, for a period not less than a few years.
In the present scenario, most of the construction labourers, both skilled as well as semi-skilled, are recruited or brought in from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. However, with the state government policies towards providing local labourers to other states being restricted or curtailed, an acute shortage of the necessary labour force has been felt in recent times like never before. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of migrant labourers for construction projects in metro and large cities in the country. Given the current scenario where many construction projects are already delayed because of lengthy approval processes, the shortage of labour supply leads to a further delay, thereby jeopardizing the progress of such projects.
Relevance of automation
As per the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI), the construction sector is currently facing a labour supply deficit to the tune of about 40 per cent. It is expected that the demand for housing will increase three-fold by 2020. Hence, it will be next to impossible for the labour force available at that time to manage the work load that the construction sector will necessitate. It is in this context that the relevance of technology or automation in the construction sector will gain prominence. Not alone will technology enable in faster and cost-effective delivery of projects but it will also replace the conventional ‘brick and mortar’ construction techniques. As a result, projects which earlier took upto three years to complete can be completed within about 15-18 months. Even though the construction costs might be higher while making use of technology, it will ensure that there is greater efficiency as well as lesser wastage. Besides the labour costs as well as the overall project cost can be reduced by employing optimum labour force as well as by delivering the project on time.
Utility of automation
Technology has already pervaded the construction sector to a certain extend. Cranes are currently being extensively employed at construction sites for excavation purposes as well as lifting construction materials to the site. Besides, there are various other advanced automated techniques that are currently being employed in construction. They include techniques such as wall panels, terrace blocks, false ceilings, prefabrication construction, dry wall techniques, plaster boards and steel frames, among others.
