Safety Must Take Precedence over Cost in India's Construction Sector
ECONOMY & POLICY

Safety Must Take Precedence over Cost in India's Construction Sector

In recent years, devastating fires have highlighted the critical need for electrical safety in India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals the severity of the issue, with 3,375 fire incidents reported over the past two years. Among these, electrical circuits were identified as the leading cause, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Electrical faults have emerged as one of the primary contributors to building fires, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of cases. These incidents stem from factors such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, the use of non-standard appliances, undersized cables, non-compliance with electrical standards, and inadequate maintenance and inspections. High-risk structures like hospitals, airports, schools, and government offices are particularly vulnerable, as electrical fires can spread rapidly and cause immense harm to life and property.

The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has responded to this growing concern by revising its general requirements for Electrical Works Part-I Internal, aiming to improve fire safety standards. These updated regulations are designed to ensure safer, more reliable, and sustainable electrical systems in government buildings, including hospitals, schools, and offices.

A key feature of the new CPWD guidelines is the mandatory use of copper cables in government buildings. CPWD recognises the importance of this material for its superior conductivity, high heat resistance, durability, and tensile strength, which collectively reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by faulty connections or short circuits.

The revised guidelines are expected to significantly enhance electrical safety in government buildings, setting a benchmark for safer construction practices. By introducing stricter safety protocols, the guidelines aim to reduce the frequency of electrical faults, thereby protecting lives and property in high-risk environments. Beyond government projects, these standards also encourage safer practices in the private sector, fostering a broader culture of safety and reliability.

The CPWD's efforts have already influenced other states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, which are beginning to adopt similar safety parameters. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of robust electrical safety standards across the country.

However, the private construction sector has often faced criticism for prioritizing cost-saving measures over safety, leading to poorly executed electrical installations and the use of sub-standard materials. Such practices have placed many buildings at risk, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to prevent fire-related disasters.

While CPWD's revised guidelines provide a model for the public sector, it is equally essential for private stakeholders to adopt these standards. By doing so, they can significantly reduce electrical hazards, enhance safety, and set new benchmarks for construction practices. Although the initial investment in high-quality materials may appear costly, the long-term benefits—such as reduced maintenance expenses and a lower risk of fire hazards—far outweigh the upfront costs.

The construction industry must recognize that safety should never be compromised for short-term gains. Prioritizing the reliability of electrical systems will ensure a safer environment for future generations. By embracing these updated standards in both public and private sectors, India can make substantial progress toward securing its infrastructure and preventing electrical fire-related tragedies.

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

In recent years, devastating fires have highlighted the critical need for electrical safety in India. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reveals the severity of the issue, with 3,375 fire incidents reported over the past two years. Among these, electrical circuits were identified as the leading cause, underscoring the urgent need for action. Electrical faults have emerged as one of the primary contributors to building fires, accounting for approximately 60 per cent of cases. These incidents stem from factors such as overloading, overheating, short circuits, the use of non-standard appliances, undersized cables, non-compliance with electrical standards, and inadequate maintenance and inspections. High-risk structures like hospitals, airports, schools, and government offices are particularly vulnerable, as electrical fires can spread rapidly and cause immense harm to life and property. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has responded to this growing concern by revising its general requirements for Electrical Works Part-I Internal, aiming to improve fire safety standards. These updated regulations are designed to ensure safer, more reliable, and sustainable electrical systems in government buildings, including hospitals, schools, and offices. A key feature of the new CPWD guidelines is the mandatory use of copper cables in government buildings. CPWD recognises the importance of this material for its superior conductivity, high heat resistance, durability, and tensile strength, which collectively reduce the risk of electrical fires caused by faulty connections or short circuits. The revised guidelines are expected to significantly enhance electrical safety in government buildings, setting a benchmark for safer construction practices. By introducing stricter safety protocols, the guidelines aim to reduce the frequency of electrical faults, thereby protecting lives and property in high-risk environments. Beyond government projects, these standards also encourage safer practices in the private sector, fostering a broader culture of safety and reliability. The CPWD's efforts have already influenced other states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, which are beginning to adopt similar safety parameters. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of robust electrical safety standards across the country. However, the private construction sector has often faced criticism for prioritizing cost-saving measures over safety, leading to poorly executed electrical installations and the use of sub-standard materials. Such practices have placed many buildings at risk, emphasising the need for stricter regulations to prevent fire-related disasters. While CPWD's revised guidelines provide a model for the public sector, it is equally essential for private stakeholders to adopt these standards. By doing so, they can significantly reduce electrical hazards, enhance safety, and set new benchmarks for construction practices. Although the initial investment in high-quality materials may appear costly, the long-term benefits—such as reduced maintenance expenses and a lower risk of fire hazards—far outweigh the upfront costs. The construction industry must recognize that safety should never be compromised for short-term gains. Prioritizing the reliability of electrical systems will ensure a safer environment for future generations. By embracing these updated standards in both public and private sectors, India can make substantial progress toward securing its infrastructure and preventing electrical fire-related tragedies.

Next Story
Real Estate

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?