Defence to spend Rs 24, 000 crore on new construction technologies

A big push to the use of new construction technologies. A large chunk of the Defence Ministry’s total allocations for housing and other military infrastructure projects would be used for the adoption of new construction technologies.    As reported, the Defence Ministry has allocated Rs 24,000 crore for housing projects for three services personnel and other military infrastructures. And, 80 per cent of this would be spend in making houses with the use of new construction technologies such as precast and pre-engineered structures.   Reportedly, according to Major General Sanjeev Jain, Director General, Directorate General of Married Accommodation Project (DGMAP), Military Engineering Service (MES), under married accommodation project (MAP), 80,000 units would be constructed at 150 military stations across the country and with economy of scale these technologies would be major cost saving exercise along with quality housing for Defence personnel.    According to the Major General, for permanent structures such as housing units, new technologies bring in quality and saves time and money, however, conventional materials and technologies are preferred for smaller units and temporary structures. For lesser number of units, DGMAP would prefer conventional materials and technologies, however, for mega projects economy of scale would tempt the MES to go for new technologies.   Pre-engineered and precast structures have strategic importance as well and can be used extensively in boarder areas. So, DGMAP would encourage complete new technologies for construction of housing units, bankers, roads and other military infrastructures.   Further, as per reports, the PSI aims to disseminate the knowledge of using various emerging construction technologies such as precast, composite construction, light gauge steel and insulated wall construction.    Indeed, the industry is confident of new construction technologies in terms of affordability, time saving and quality.