Companies must implement digitalisation, innovative technologies and new construction techniques to improve productivity and efficiency, avers K JALANDHAR REDDY. The construction industry in India hasn’t made as many technological implementations as other industries because of a resource constraint in implementing new technologies while staying on track with the execution of running projects. Labour productivity in the construction industry has only grown by 5 per cent while in the manufacturing industry it has increased by nearly 60 per cent This low labour productivity is putting a brake on innovation and growth. Digital technologies provide the construction industry with an opportunity to find innovative solutions to cope with a changing environment that could greatly impact the industry. The present recession on account of COVID-19 is a golden opportunity for the construction industry to accelerate digital transformation. The ‘Make in India’ concept can induce and compel the construction industry to automate workflows and processes using technologies to stay ahead of the competition. Digitalisation can bring in significant efficiency gains by connecting men, machine and materials. Globally, construction industries are witnessing breakthroughs in the form of new AI-based developments such as automated vehicles for digging and loading materials, drone-assisted surveillance, robot-assisted bricklaying of roughly 3,000 bricks per day and a robot to paint walls about 30 times quicker than a human at a speed of about 60 sq ft per minute, working at heights from 8 ft to 14 ft. At KNR Constructions Ltd, a great emphasis is given to the implementation of construction technologies at various operations and worker safety. There is clearly a wider scope for the implementation of these technologies in the construction process, right from the initial design stage and onsite construction work to building maintenance functions. Moreover, this can help minimise dependence on labour while ensuring increased productivity and quality. Much attention is also given to implement AI for workflow management, digitalisation of construction workflow processes and use of sensors throughout the construction process, which provide a platform for the management of data. Further, drone technology is being deployed for survey and monitoring together with job site analysis. Efforts are also on to implement robots for onsite tasks like cutting and bar-bending work; it is also being explored if they can be put to use for dismantling concrete slabs, walls and other interior structures. Worker safety is of paramount importance. Wearable tech such as sensors to alert the safety supervisor, safety vest sensors, helmets and work boots are used to ensure this. The latest inbuilt technology, with camera, phone and red lights, which is in vogue is also being explored to enhance site and worker safety. Virtual reality (VR) is already in vogue in sites where workers get exposure to different environments and training is imparted on everything from operating cranes and excavators to welding and masonry work. Through augmented reality (AR) technology, workers are trained at sites to improve site safety. As part of automation, mobile technology is used extensively for real-time data collection and transmission between the jobsite and project managers in the back office. Also, toll data is monitored from the headquarters on a real-time basis. Cloud-based solutions are being used to enable onsite employees to submit timecards, expense reports, requests for information (RFIs), work records and other verified documentation. We are also evaluating the introduction of robotics in 3D printing technology to effectively print an entire prefabricated flyover segment structure and later assemble these into a completed flyover. By implementing automation processes, decision-making processes can be streamlined and communication gaps easily eliminated. This can help in improved workflow, lower costs, better resource management, faster turnaround times and elimination of waste. Indeed, the Indian construction industry, a so called ‘brick-and-mortar’ industry, is entering the digital age and has vast potential for digitalisation. It’s time for companies to focus on implementing digitalisation, innovative technologies and new construction techniques to improve productivity and efficiency. About the author: K Jalandhar Reddy, Executive Director, KNR Constructions Ltd, has 25 years of wide, hands-on experience in the infrastructure sector, particularly highways, specialty flyovers and irrigation projects. He joined the company after his engineering degree and rose from the position of project manager to executive director (in April 1997). A technocrat with a high degree of analytical ability and expertise in project management, scheduling, controlling and tendering, his leadership and business acumen have led the company to win a number of BOT, HAM and EPC projects and reach greater heights