Why Fabrication Yards Have All But Disappeared?
Steel

Why Fabrication Yards Have All But Disappeared?

Experts opine on what’s needed to boost the use of steel in construction. Over the last 40-50 years, we have become a concrete nation, observes Atul Bhobe, Managing Director, TPF Engineering. “Thirty to forty years ago, we used to have the entire fabrication yards in Kolkata and Bhilai; the...

Experts opine on what’s needed to boost the use of steel in construction. Over the last 40-50 years, we have become a concrete nation, observes Atul Bhobe, Managing Director, TPF Engineering. “Thirty to forty years ago, we used to have the entire fabrication yards in Kolkata and Bhilai; these have all disappeared. Riveting has gone out of style. We now make do with high strength friction grip bolts, which is a challenge because how many bolts can you use on a plate? Then you have to depend on welding, and welders are in short supply.” To give you a sense of how low our capacity is, they needed about 80,000 tonne of steel for the Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna, shares Bhobe. “The contractor had to employ 20 different fabricators nationwide to get 80,000 tonne of steel fabricated over four years.” Skilled fabricators and erectors are limited, agrees Abhijeet M Kulkarni, Country Director, Structures, Buro Happold. So, what is needed? We need to develop more steel fabrication facilities in the country besides create design hubs for steel-based construction, adds Dr Mukesh Kumar, Director, Steel Research & Technology Mission of India (SRTMI), under the aegis of the Ministry of Steel. We need a value chain all the way through, points out Bhobe. “It doesn’t stop at manufacturing. We need fabricators. We need people who can do detailing, people who can design, people who understand steel structures.” “We need to move from being a concrete-dominated nation to at least understanding what steel can do and how we can use steel better,” adds Bhobe. “Bridges aren’t part of the present curriculum. If you look at academics now, few students are taught how to design a bridge and how to design a long span, and even less is taught about steel. It has to start from the grassroots to then create an awareness among working professionals.

Next Story
Technology

BBMP Pledges Faster E-Khata Processing Amid Citizen Complaints

Facing mounting complaints over delays in e-khata issuance, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has promised to resolve the issue within 10 days. BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath assured citizens that efforts are underway to expedite processing rates from the current 2,000 to a target of 10,000–15,000 applications daily. "We have cleared 90% of the 90,000 pending applications, leaving only 4,500 to process. To meet the demand, over 800 additional staff and assistant revenue officers (AROs) have been deployed to manage applications in each ward," Nath stated. Persistent Dela..

Next Story
Real Estate

Delhi HC Orders DDA to Assist CBI in Housing Lapses Probe

The Delhi High Court has instructed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to fully cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in its probe into alleged lapses in the construction of 336 high-rise HIG/MIG houses at Signature View Apartments, north Delhi. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh emphasized that DDA must furnish information about any internal inquiry and the officials involved to facilitate the investigation. The court noted CBI’s submission that DDA had not responded to multiple reminders since July, delaying the probe. The CBI is investigating allegations of "cheating, crimi..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Mahindra Lifespace to Appeal Tamil Nadu GST Tax Demand

Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd has announced a tax demand of Rs 20.9 million imposed by the Tamil Nadu GST department, including interest and penalties. The order, issued by the Assistant Commissioner of State Tax, Chengalpattu, cites an alleged shortfall in GST payments under Section 74 of the GST Act, 2017. The realty firm refuted the allegations, stating, “Based on the company's assessment, there is no noncompliance, and a general penalty has been imposed.” The company plans to appeal the order, expressing confidence in a favorable resolution. Mahindra Lifespace assured stakeholders ..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000