There is a saying that everyone in the construction industry is dishonest, which is a wrong perception
COAL & MINING

There is a saying that everyone in the construction industry is dishonest, which is a wrong perception

FY19 was a challenging time for India Inc. The issues were many, ranging from liquidity crunch, rising bad loans, loan defaults (principal as well as interest), slowing capex and slower automobile growth to delayed or stalled projects, financially inviable projects and an insolvency-like situation for a few large organisations. Despite all the obstacles, uncertainties and challenges, a few entities managed to persevere and prevail, posting growth and exhibiting excellence. And these are the companies, from the universe of construction, contracting, engineering and building materials, many of whom were awarded and honoured for their outstanding work at the India Construction Festival in Delhi.

The India Construction Festival, organised by FIRST Construction Council on October 15 and 16, 2019, comprised four sub-events: The India Roads Conference; CONSTRUCTION WORLD Global Awards; CONSTRUCTION WORLD Leadership Summit; and the EQUIPMENT INDIA Awards.

Here’s a glimpse of what Anil Swarup, Former Secretary, Government of India, had to say at the Festival:

“It’s important for to understand how you engage with the Government and what you do with the Government. 

When I took over at the coal ministry, everyone thought that scams were a problem. And two scams had already broken out. When I analysed it, I realised that scams were just a symptom of a problem, of a much deeper problem. We discovered that the primary problem of coal scams was shortage of coal. Imagine, India sits on 300 billion tonne of coal reserves and we require only 800 billion for our need. There is demand and there is supply, yet we are short of coal. Then we tried to decide why there is a shortage of coal if so much coal is supplied. So for getting coal, there are three important ingredients: Availability of land, environment and forest clearance, and evacuation of coal. 

When I say approach the Government, the last point I want to mention is that sometimes the Government does not analyse the problem to identify where the problem is. There is a saying that everyone in the construction industry is dishonest, which is a wrong perception. So, how will it be corrected? My advice to the Government is to set up an empowered group that goes into the detail of each project to identify whether the problem is with the promoter. So, for example, if the Government does not give the environmental clearance or provide land, how do you hold the construction industry responsible for constructing that road? In another instance, there could be a case that the Government has provided these clearances, the land has been provided and the contractor does not construct for whatever reasons; but this can happen only if you go into the details of it. Unfortunately, no one has time for the details because details don’t get publicised. 

I remember when I was the coal secretary, I would say let’s do the walking and let someone else do the talking. But I discovered post retirement that the easiest thing on earth to do is to talk. 

When I was heading the Project Monitoring Group (PMG), when we were trying to fast-track projects worth Rs 10 billion, it did happen. In UPA, too, we did manage to clear projects worth Rs 5 trillion in 15 months. So it can happen; you must understand how it will happen. The PMG still exists. How about creating institutional track platforms to re-establish the communication between the one who has the problem and the one who is creating the problem? Sometimes, it can be magical. It is wrong to assume that people on the other hand do not want a solution to the problem. To me, it’s more of a communication problem than anything else.”


FY19 was a challenging time for India Inc. The issues were many, ranging from liquidity crunch, rising bad loans, loan defaults (principal as well as interest), slowing capex and slower automobile growth to delayed or stalled projects, financially inviable projects and an insolvency-like situation for a few large organisations. Despite all the obstacles, uncertainties and challenges, a few entities managed to persevere and prevail, posting growth and exhibiting excellence. And these are the companies, from the universe of construction, contracting, engineering and building materials, many of whom were awarded and honoured for their outstanding work at the India Construction Festival in Delhi.The India Construction Festival, organised by FIRST Construction Council on October 15 and 16, 2019, comprised four sub-events: The India Roads Conference; CONSTRUCTION WORLD Global Awards; CONSTRUCTION WORLD Leadership Summit; and the EQUIPMENT INDIA Awards.Here’s a glimpse of what Anil Swarup, Former Secretary, Government of India, had to say at the Festival:“It’s important for to understand how you engage with the Government and what you do with the Government. When I took over at the coal ministry, everyone thought that scams were a problem. And two scams had already broken out. When I analysed it, I realised that scams were just a symptom of a problem, of a much deeper problem. We discovered that the primary problem of coal scams was shortage of coal. Imagine, India sits on 300 billion tonne of coal reserves and we require only 800 billion for our need. There is demand and there is supply, yet we are short of coal. Then we tried to decide why there is a shortage of coal if so much coal is supplied. So for getting coal, there are three important ingredients: Availability of land, environment and forest clearance, and evacuation of coal. When I say approach the Government, the last point I want to mention is that sometimes the Government does not analyse the problem to identify where the problem is. There is a saying that everyone in the construction industry is dishonest, which is a wrong perception. So, how will it be corrected? My advice to the Government is to set up an empowered group that goes into the detail of each project to identify whether the problem is with the promoter. So, for example, if the Government does not give the environmental clearance or provide land, how do you hold the construction industry responsible for constructing that road? In another instance, there could be a case that the Government has provided these clearances, the land has been provided and the contractor does not construct for whatever reasons; but this can happen only if you go into the details of it. Unfortunately, no one has time for the details because details don’t get publicised. I remember when I was the coal secretary, I would say let’s do the walking and let someone else do the talking. But I discovered post retirement that the easiest thing on earth to do is to talk. When I was heading the Project Monitoring Group (PMG), when we were trying to fast-track projects worth Rs 10 billion, it did happen. In UPA, too, we did manage to clear projects worth Rs 5 trillion in 15 months. So it can happen; you must understand how it will happen. The PMG still exists. How about creating institutional track platforms to re-establish the communication between the one who has the problem and the one who is creating the problem? Sometimes, it can be magical. It is wrong to assume that people on the other hand do not want a solution to the problem. To me, it’s more of a communication problem than anything else.”

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India To Invest $37 Billion To Boost Petrochemical Capacity

India is set to become a major global player in the petrochemicals industry, driven by a planned capital expenditure of $37 billion (Rs 3.1 trillion) aimed at reducing import dependency and enhancing self-sufficiency, according to S&P Global Ratings.In its latest report titled “First China, Now India: Self-Sufficiency Goals Will Add To Petrochemicals Supply”, S&P said India’s large-scale capacity expansion—mirroring China’s earlier push—will likely intensify oversupply pressures in Asia’s petrochemical markets.Currently the world’s third-largest petrochemical consumer a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Indian Railways Expands Global Exports Of Rail Equipment

Indian Railways has announced that it is rapidly emerging as a global exporter of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the government’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ initiative.According to an official statement, India’s railway products are now reaching over 16 international markets, reflecting the country’s growing capacity to design, develop, and deliver world-class rail solutions.Metro coaches have been exported to Australia and Canada; bogies to the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, and Australia; propulsion systems t..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

RailTel Awards Rs 163 Million Contract To RTNS Technology

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, has awarded a domestic work order worth Rs 163 million to RTNS Technology Private Limited.The contract, issued on 30 September 2025, involves the supply and installation of equipment and related services for one of RailTel’s key customers. The project underscores RailTel’s commitment to advancing technology and communication infrastructure through collaboration with domestic system integrators.RTNS Technology Private Limited, an ISO-certified system integrator, provides comprehensive solutions for perim..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?