+
We are looking at prefabricated panels, lightweight panels and flat slabs for residential floors, says Jairam Panch, Turner Project Management India
Real Estate

We are looking at prefabricated panels, lightweight panels and flat slabs for residential floors, says Jairam Panch, Turner Project Management India

In the US, Turner is the No. 1 builder in the healthcare, university, hotel, office, and green building sectors; the No. 2 builder for airport facilities; and the No. 3 builder in sports facilities and reconstruction sectors. It provides project management and construction management services internationally and in India. In fact, Turner International offers clients varied expertise in managing the construction of large and complex projects across 18 countries. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jairam Panch, Managing Director, Turner Project Management India,</span> highlights the company's innovative construction solutions. <p></p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Please highlight your contribution and innovative solutions for projects in India</span>. In India, we have successfully implemented the 'Suraksha : Safety' programme focusing on workmen safety at site; it was developed by a team of young professionals locally. Turner promotes lean culture, reducing wastage, simplifying repeated tasks and improving productivity on jobsites by collaboratively working with consultants, clients and contractors. We also use state-of-art software, MIS and communication platforms as part of our professional approach to managing our business.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about innovations in technology that have enabled cost saving and timely completion of projects.</span><br /> When planned and utilised on jobsites, system formwork reduces the casting cycle substantially, rendering better quality of finish and value for money. Turner promotes green building concepts at the planning stage, which reduces the operation and maintenance cost by at least 20 per cent. We are also looking at prefabricated panels, lightweight panels, flat slabs for residential floors and several other options. However, this needs close collaboration with consultants, contractors and clients.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">What importance do you give to safety and labour training?</span><br /> Building L.I.F.E is a mantra every Turner staff embraces and imparts training about to contractors, clients and workmen. We recently conducted 'Train the Trainer' programme' led by our <span style="font-weight: bold;">Regional Director, Environmental Health &amp; Safety, Thomas Greg,</span> to train senior safety staff of Turner India, who in turn will impart training to many more in the business unit. The aforementioned 'Suraksha 24/7' was an innovation aimed at strengthening safety from bottom to top as opposed to the top-down approach taken by many companies. On one of our projects, we recently clocked 38 million safe man hours and we also received the National Safety Bronze Award on one of our large projects in Delhi. </p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are the major challenges faced in India particularly? </span><br /> One is the recognition of a PMC in bringing value to a project rather than being a mere manpower supply. Other challenges are a lack of professionalism, client decision-making, poor planning by contractors, availability of skilled workforce, delay in statutory permits and approvals, government policies and the approach to recognising construction as a major industry. However, with the advent of RERA, we expect an improvement as there is a certain accountability from all stakeholders; this should create an improved professional ecosystem. </p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please share your performance and growth rate in FY16-17, and future plans. </span><br /> We have an India presence of close to a decade with an active business for the past five years, with over 170 staff working on large projects in western and northern India. We have had double-digit growth over the past five years and are positive about future growth considering current market conditions and the need for professionalism on large and complex projects. We want to continue to expand our business with our current clients and look at newer opportunities in various segments, including hospitality and healthcare. We have an active presence in residential, commercial, retail, aviation and iconic projects, and will continue to look at emerging opportunities in the country and geographically expand into southern India. </p>

In the US, Turner is the No. 1 builder in the healthcare, university, hotel, office, and green building sectors; the No. 2 builder for airport facilities; and the No. 3 builder in sports facilities and reconstruction sectors. It provides project management and construction management services internationally and in India. In fact, Turner International offers clients varied expertise in managing the construction of large and complex projects across 18 countries. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jairam Panch, Managing Director, Turner Project Management India,</span> highlights the company's innovative construction solutions. <p></p> <p> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Please highlight your contribution and innovative solutions for projects in India</span>. In India, we have successfully implemented the 'Suraksha : Safety' programme focusing on workmen safety at site; it was developed by a team of young professionals locally. Turner promotes lean culture, reducing wastage, simplifying repeated tasks and improving productivity on jobsites by collaboratively working with consultants, clients and contractors. We also use state-of-art software, MIS and communication platforms as part of our professional approach to managing our business.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us about innovations in technology that have enabled cost saving and timely completion of projects.</span><br /> When planned and utilised on jobsites, system formwork reduces the casting cycle substantially, rendering better quality of finish and value for money. Turner promotes green building concepts at the planning stage, which reduces the operation and maintenance cost by at least 20 per cent. We are also looking at prefabricated panels, lightweight panels, flat slabs for residential floors and several other options. However, this needs close collaboration with consultants, contractors and clients.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">What importance do you give to safety and labour training?</span><br /> Building L.I.F.E is a mantra every Turner staff embraces and imparts training about to contractors, clients and workmen. We recently conducted 'Train the Trainer' programme' led by our <span style="font-weight: bold;">Regional Director, Environmental Health &amp; Safety, Thomas Greg,</span> to train senior safety staff of Turner India, who in turn will impart training to many more in the business unit. The aforementioned 'Suraksha 24/7' was an innovation aimed at strengthening safety from bottom to top as opposed to the top-down approach taken by many companies. On one of our projects, we recently clocked 38 million safe man hours and we also received the National Safety Bronze Award on one of our large projects in Delhi. </p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are the major challenges faced in India particularly? </span><br /> One is the recognition of a PMC in bringing value to a project rather than being a mere manpower supply. Other challenges are a lack of professionalism, client decision-making, poor planning by contractors, availability of skilled workforce, delay in statutory permits and approvals, government policies and the approach to recognising construction as a major industry. However, with the advent of RERA, we expect an improvement as there is a certain accountability from all stakeholders; this should create an improved professional ecosystem. </p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Please share your performance and growth rate in FY16-17, and future plans. </span><br /> We have an India presence of close to a decade with an active business for the past five years, with over 170 staff working on large projects in western and northern India. We have had double-digit growth over the past five years and are positive about future growth considering current market conditions and the need for professionalism on large and complex projects. We want to continue to expand our business with our current clients and look at newer opportunities in various segments, including hospitality and healthcare. We have an active presence in residential, commercial, retail, aviation and iconic projects, and will continue to look at emerging opportunities in the country and geographically expand into southern India. </p>

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?