The construction industry is essential for societal development, driving economic growth through job creation, GDP contribution, and infrastructure development.

It improves living standards by building critical facilities like roads, schools, and housing while enhancing disaster resilience. Emphasizing sustainability, it adopts eco-friendly practices and supports industries like manufacturing and real estate.

This dynamic sector shapes modern societies and fosters progress toward a sustainable future The construction industry is essential for societal development, driving economic growth through job creation, GDP contribution, and infrastructure development.

It improves living standards by building critical facilities like roads, schools, and housing while enhancing disaster resilience. Emphasizing sustainability, it adopts eco-friendly practices and supports industries like manufacturing and real estate.

This dynamic sector shapes modern societies and fosters progress toward a sustainable future.

Importance of construction industry

1. The growth of human civilization and the history of building development. industry go hand in hand. Construction has been old age profession of man.
2. The industry is a distinct sector of the economy which makes its direct contribution to Economic growth, like in other sectors such as farming, manufacturing, and services.
3. It also provides the basis upon which the other sectors can grow, by constructing the physical
4. The tools and systems needed to make and deliver goods and services.
5. Construction industry shares about 10.7% in national GDP in 2022 as per NITI A ayog.
6. The construction industry in India is the second-largest employer in the country. It accounts for 21% of all non-agricultural jobs in the country. Also, it accounts for 5.55% of jobs which are indirectly dependent on it.
7. In India construction works are undertaken both in private and public sector. Important agencies include Central and State PWD, Railways, Municipal corporations etc.
8. Construction industry alone saw a Rs 2500 crore investment from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the year 2020-21 (Source: NITI Aayog annual report).
9. In short, we can say that, the Indian construction industry is the engine of the Indian economy. From above numbers it is clear that construction industry plays a important role in national development. The importance of construction industry lies in its role as a driver of economic growth, infrastructure development, job creation, and sustainable progress.

Special Characteristics of civil engineering works

Q. What is Special Characteristics of civil engineering works ?

The following are the important characteristics of civil engineering works:

1. Civil engineering projects offer plenty of job opportunities.
2. The construction industry accounts for the largest share of spending on national development.
3. More than 50% of the national budget is invested in construction projects. The industry provides significant employment opportunities and is second only to agriculture.
4. It can employ 5% of the country’s workforce.
5. It can also absorb an additional labour force of 5 to 10 per cent in producing materials, equipment’s and other allied industries.
6. If labour intensive projects are properly planned, they can absorb even more people.
7. There is enough scope to stabilise the employment and earnings of the industry.
8. Long term construction works can be undertaken to increase employment opportunities.
9. At present, the training facilities, particularly for unskilled workers are not adequate.
10. There is ample scope for the mechanisation in this industry.
11. The industry is dominated by interested groups contract systems.
12. Contract system in this industry has some evil elements in which need to be ruled out Importance of construction industry.

 

Classification of works:

The following are the common systems of classification of Construction works:

1. Minor works, major works and projects:

This is the most commonly used method of the classifying construction works. It is generally based on the total cost of the work.

(a) Minor Works: When the cost of the construction work is less than Rs. 20,000/-, it is
classified as a ‘minor work’.

(b) Major Works: When the cost of the construction work is between Rupees twenty thousand and one lakh, it is treated as a major construction work’. Such major works are carried out against specific proposals, and an allotment of funds by a competent authority Importance of construction industry.

(c)Project: The constructions work which cost more than one lakh rupees, are called projects. The financial limit of such work changes from time to time and from department to department.

2. Permanent Works, Semi-Permanent Works, Temporary Works, etc

• Permanent Works: These are construction projects designed to last indefinitely.
• Semi-Permanent Works: These are construction projects that are not fully permanent but also not entirely temporary.
• Temporary Works: These are construction projects intended for short-term use only.
• Original Works: Construction projects that are entirely new and original are referred to as original works.
• Repair Works: Construction tasks done to fix or restore existing structures are called repair works.
• Light Construction: Construction projects that are smaller in scale, such as building houses, transit sheds, and offices, are categorized as light construction Importance of construction industry.
• Heavy Construction: This refers to construction projects that are large and complete on their own, involving heavy structural components. Examples include multi-story buildings, factories, highways, railways, dams, airports, tunnels, and bridges. Such projects require both manpower and construction machinery Importance of construction industry.
• Industrial Construction: A construction work which involves various branches of engineering, is called Industrial Construction. For example, power stations, oil refineries, steel plants, fertilizer plants, etc

Stages in construction work:

Pre-tender: Pre-tender stage activities include coordinated efforts on the part of the owner, architect, engineer, administration, and financial authorities. The pre tenderer stage includes the following activities:

• Choose a site and finalize the basic plan for the construction work.
• Buy the land.
• Complete the designs and details, including checking the soil and preparing cost estimates.
• Get official approval and funds for the project.
• Arrange resources like workers, materials, equipment, and finances.

Post-Tender Stage:

• Monitor the work and spending during construction to maintain quality and control costs.
• Plan and track progress using methods like CPM to ensure the project finishes on time.
• Finalize accounts and hand over the completed project.

Design and Drawing Stage:

1. During this stage, basic plans and elevations are reviewed, updated, and detailed to include all specifications needed for construction. Project components are looked at to the smallest detail. After the design is finalized, detailed drawings are prepared for the construction project.
2. These drawings show a detailed plan and elevation of major components of the project. Drawings help in preparing an estimate and land acquisition Importance of construction industry.
3. Estimation: Construction estimating is the process of assessing all the costs of a construction project. These costs include direct costs, indirect costs, overhead costs, and a profit margin for the general contractor. Estimating is done for the following purposes: To know the approximate cost of work. To know the quantities of materials required. To assess the requirements of tools, plants, and equipment required. Etc.
4. Tendering: The tendering process involves selecting a contractor to carry out a construction project. The purpose of tendering is to reduce costs and ensure that the correct contractor is selected for a project.
5. Planning for execution: A Project Execution Plan (PEP) is a governing document that defines how a project is to be executed, monitored, and controlled. It establishes exactly how the project execution phase of the project will be managed to meet the requirements of the construction project in a given period Importance of construction industry.
6. Procuring material: In building construction, material procurement is the process by which The materials needed to build a structure are chosen, ordered, invoiced, paid for, and delivered to the site. The goal of material procurement is to purchase the best items with the right quality, in the right quantity, at the right time, and at the right cost Importance of construction industry.
7. Supervision and Inspection: Construction supervisors are responsible for looking at all Managing activities on the worksite and overseeing contractors and staff are key tasks. Along with traveling between sites, the supervisor ensures that legal rules and safety standards are followed to maintain a safe working environment. Construction supervision focuses on delivering high-quality work, ensuring every detail is completed as planned Importance of construction industry.
8. Payment: After the work is fully completed the final payment of the contractor is done as per the tender document.
9. Maintenance: After the project is completed and is in use then regular maintenance is carried out to the proper working of the project. Maintenance also helps to increase the life of the structure Importance of construction industry.

Agencies associated with construction work and their duties and responsibilities

a) Owner: The person “in charge” of the overall project is usually termed the “Owner” and is
often the only nonprofessional in the entire project.

Owner duties and responsibilities include:

1. Providing finance for the project.
2. To check that the work is going on as per his requirements.
3. Securing and paying for materials, tools and plants.
4. Cooperating with the contractor.
5. Selecting all professionals such as architects, engineers, builders, etc on the project.

b) Architect: Architects plan and design buildings for new construction, changes, or renovations. They use their knowledge of construction and drawing skills to create designs that are practical, safe, eco-friendly, and visually appealing Importance of construction industry.

Responsibilities of an Architect:

1. He should first visit the site to survey its location and surroundings.
2. He should ascertain the requirements of the clients and guide them in matters of doubts and obstacles.
3. He should prepare a plan for the building which would have an attractive appearance and at the same time accommodate the requirements of the client.
4. He should prepare estimates of the proposed building and guide the client on how it could be economical.
5. He should get the plans sanctioned from the appropriate authorities.
6. After sanctioning the plan he should guide the client in engaging an agency or agencies to execute the work.
7. When the work is in progress, he should visit the Site as frequently as possible to ascertain the progress of the work.
8. He should see that the work is being executed according to the sanctioned plan Importance of construction industry.
9. He should ascertain that the material used in the construction work is of specified quality Importance of construction industry.
10. He should see that utmost economy is observed while executing the work and that there is no unnecessary wastage.

c) Engineer: He is one of the professionals who is appointed by the owner or contractor for mainly supervision work.

Duties of a Site engineer in charge of construction work:

1. He has to organize and phase the staff duties suited to the construction program.
2. He has to supervise the work and ensure that the project is executed according to the plan of work.
3. He should see that the material and workmanship comply with the required specifications.
4. He has to conduct various tests and inspect the materials.
5. He has to issue necessary instructions to the contractors.
6. He has to provide drawings to the contractor’s agents.
7. He should maintain a diary containing the detailed program of the construction work.
8. He should keep a record of important events on the site.
9. He should prepare and supply regular progress reports to the client.
10. He should make necessary records in respect of additional work, cost of labor, and material.
11. He has to measure the quantities of work executed and check the day’s work, interim payment, and final payment dues.
12. He has to ensure the safety of the workers and labor on the site.

d) Builder / Contractor: The builder may be anyone, ranging from a petty contractor to a large construction organization. A contractor has to take the help of engineers to complete the project with good quality.

Duties of contractor/builder:

1. The contractor is responsible for procuring material, organizing planning, and executing the work according to the drawings and specifications mentioned in the contract Importance of construction industry.
2. While undertaking the construction work, the contractor has to keep to the schedule, to complete the project within the stipulated period.
3. They manage the construction process and ensure that the design, regulatory, site safety, and other quality requirements are met Importance of construction industry.

 

 

Why construction industry is important? An overview on construction industry.

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