IFAWPCA calls for predictability in construction contracts

Ajith Gulabchand, President of International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors' Association (IFAWPCA) called for predictability in contracts in the construction sector. He raised concern that in many occasions contracts awarded for companies were cancelled in a later stage due to various issues. Apart from it, players in the sector have to go to capital cities frequently for getting various approvals, which is not very easy. The rules should be amended in a way to meet expected boom in the construction sector, Gulabchand said while speaking at the convention of IFAWPCA. Gulabchand remarked that the sector is concerned about implementation risks, especially in emerging countries. Meanwhile, speaking at the event, Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath stressed on the need for planned suburbanisation to deal with the pressure of urbanization and subsequent transport requirements. He said that the suburbanization taking place in the country is by default and not a planned one. The minister also emphasised on infrastructure development. The development of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports and ports, to meet growth requirements is a major challenge for the government, Nath remarked. The minister added that urbanization is more profound in tier II and tier III cities.